About This Worksheet
This Grade 7 reading worksheet helps students compare the strength of two arguments about social media use. One editorial focuses on anxiety, sleep problems, bullying, and the need for firm limits. The other emphasizes connection, creativity, learning, and responsible guidance instead of strict restrictions. For example, one author uses mental health concerns to support stronger boundaries, while the other uses social benefits to argue for balanced use.
Learning Goals
The main goal is to help students judge which argument is better supported and more convincing. Students should already know how to identify a claim, reason, and piece of evidence. This activity moves them toward comparing the quality of evidence and the fairness of each author’s reasoning. It supports CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.7.8 and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.7.9, which ask students to evaluate arguments and compare how different texts address the same topic.
Student Tasks
On this worksheet, students will read two editorials about the effects of social media on teenagers. They will compare each author’s claim, reasons, evidence, and response to opposing ideas. Students must decide which editorial presents the stronger argument and support that decision with details from both texts. Their response should focus on the quality of the writing rather than on their own feelings about social media.
Common Challenges
Some students may automatically choose the argument that matches their personal opinion. Others may count the number of reasons without considering whether those reasons are well supported. Remind them that a strong argument uses clear evidence, logical connections, and a fair response to the other side. A helpful question is, “Which author gives the reader better reasons to believe the claim?”
Teaching Suggestions
A teacher can create a simple chart with columns for claim, evidence, and counterargument. Students can fill in one row for each editorial before deciding which is stronger. At home, a parent can ask the child to explain one strength and one weakness from each side. This balanced conversation helps students compare arguments more carefully.
Worksheet Features
The worksheet includes two complete editorials that take noticeably different approaches to the same issue. Both texts use claims, evidence, and recommendations, giving students enough material for a fair comparison. Directions clearly ask readers to evaluate strength rather than simply summarize. The page works well for argument analysis, media literacy, discussion, or written response practice.