Writing

Separate Information by Source & Perspective

February 12, 2019

A more complex scenario involves texts that include pros and cons for both perspectives. This is represented with “blue” and “yellow” details intermixed within the different passages. Consequently, students have to keep track of not only the information per source but also sort out relevant details and facts per position. This requires a more advanced T-Chart.

Students must read each text and separate out the blue-perspective details from the yellow-perspective details. They also have to recognize the irrelevant information (i.e., the “red, orange, green, and white” details) that is unimportant to their task.

Model how to write the titles of each source in the middle column and create rows. Then, while reading Text A, organize which details support which position from that text. Then, label the second row for Text B and again sort details per perspective. (NOTE: Some texts may have few or no facts for one side and a lot for the other.)

Knowing the source of information isn’t vital for the pre-writing stage, but it is for the drafting step. While composing the piece and weaving in textual evidence, students must cite the source of each fact or quote. Specifically, they must identify which text and where in the text they found the information. This requires a highly organized pre-writing process.

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