Strategy 6: Writing-to-Learn
Proposition/Support Outline Level of Expertise: 4
What is the instructional strategy?
The instructional strategy I am using is the Proposition/Support Outline, which will assist my students in reflecting on class content (i.e.: U.S.
Why does the strategy work?
This strategy guides and assists students in the comprehension process by having them analyze text content and key concepts. It also encourages students to be critical thinkers by having them engage in texts that convey different meanings and present varying viewpoints. These skills are essential for helping students develop their understanding of historiography, which is key in this and other units, and ultimately, in the context of history.
How does it work?
1) First, I have a discussion about facts and opinions. Students will develop definitions and examples of these two concepts.
2) Next, I will introduce a description of proposition by providing a definition and examples. After reviewing examples of propositions, students will get into teacher-selected groups to brainstorm argument statements that support these sample propositions.
3) I will then introduce the Proposition/Support Outline framework. I will assist students with identifying different types of evidence used to support a proposition, such as facts, statistics, examples, expert authority, logic, and reasoning.
4) Then, I provide students with a reading passage and have them complete a Proposition/Support Outline framework.
5) Students will then discuss and analyze the type of support presented by the author.
Sources Referenced: Billmeyer & Barton, 1998; Doty, Cameron, & Barton, 2003.
What does it look like?
*See hard copy of Proposition/Support Outline
