Take+a+Stand+Assessment

Dear Brad, Patrice, Rebecca, Ashley and Abby:

You made clear distinctions between Take a Stand and Propose a Solution, both in defining them and in examining examples and deconstructing them. In this workshop I had a strong sense of the variations of this purpose for writing, how one forced an assertion, another forced examining opposing arguments, and another forced action. These are important distinctions, even though they all have the common purpose to persuade. You also mentioned the need for structure in this form of writing, which I had questioned in the Reader Response Prompt. I totally agree with the need for structure and the flexibility students can retain by not being overly prescriptive. In each of these chapters we have seen how structure can be helpful, yet flexible, if we do not make too many requirements. I also liked how you affirmed people who shared their writing. You named the things you liked about them and gave us the sense of possibility for what we had written. Good coordination of a large team of teachers. 20/20