Teaching Secondary Students to Write Effectively

Recommendation 2 

(continued)

E X A M P L E   2.4.

A writing and reading activity for synthesizing multiple perspectives

Steps

1. After students have identified their own view, have students read relevant articles to identify 

evidence from a concurring view point and an opposing view point.

2. Ask students to write up the opposing view point and to be mindful of being fair. 

3. Have students share their drafts with one or two peers who respond in writing using a struc-

tured response form (a worksheet created by the teacher to guide peer feedback on specific 

aspects of writing, see below). 

4. Ask students to choose whether or not to revise their papers based on the comments.

5. Review student responses and decide whether additional instruction on writing about opposing 

perspectives is necessary.