Responding to Controversial Issues
Source Ideas
Students may engage in one of the following:
1. Discussing a controversial issue in class.
2. Reading and discussing an article about the issue. (If your school has a subscription to the database Opposing Viewpoints, this is a useful resource to find texts quickly.)
3. Watching and discussing a video about the issue.
4. Listening to and discussing a podcast about the issue.
Response Annotations or Notes
As you participate in a discussion, watch a video, or listen to a podcast, take notes on the following:
- What do you agree with? You can put a check mark next to this material and jot down a note in the margins of a text.
- What do you disagree with? You can put an X next to this material and jot down a note in the margins of a text.
- What do you want to know more about? You can put a question mark and jot down a note in the margins of a text.
Response Paragraph
Write a brief response to the source with which you engaged. Include the following in your paragraph:
Name the source and its author,
- Summarize the source's main argument and supporting reasons
- Give your opinion about what you read and explain why you have the reaction you do
- Include two of the following: ideas you agreed with, ideas you disagreed with, and questions you have
What to do Next
Students can engage with another source that presents a different opinion on the same issue and follow the same steps; however, they can also write about how their opinion has changed or been confirmed by the new source material.
Students can use these notes, writing, and sources to write an argument-based essay like the one described by the original resource (linked below).
Remixed from the following resource, "Response Writing," by Natalia Geha: https://www.oercommons.org/authoring/25616-response-writing/view