Planning Texts on Challenging Topics

Topic, purpose, audience, form (genre) and medium.

Any two: people disagree about it, it affects people differently, you need research to understand it.

Primary: the town staff or councillor who decides about crosswalks. Secondary: examples: other parents copied on the email, the principal, the people the councillor forwards it to.

A table that scores several options against the same criteria, so you can compare them fairly.

Example: Why did it die? No one watered it. Why? Everyone who looked after it was on summer break. (A deeper cause: the garden has no summer plan.)

Example: a math survey and graph; a science experiment or data; a geography map; a history timeline of how the problem developed.

Example: Two students who moved to Canada last year told me our school's schedule was confusing at first.

Fairness that gives people what they need to succeed, which isn't always the same for everyone.

Making sure everyone can take part and feel they belong.

True.

Writing as many questions as you can in a short time, without judging them, then choosing the best.

The standards you use to judge choices.

Example: winter → winter safety → sidewalks after snowstorms → How well are sidewalks near our school cleared after a snowfall, and who has the hardest time when they aren't? It's focused, it affects people differently (people who use wheelchairs or walkers, older adults, young children) and it needs research.

A 5-page report is too long and formal for Grade 4 students, and the purpose is to persuade, not just inform. Better: a short video, a colourful poster or a quick visit and talk, which grab younger students' attention and can show what the program looks like.

Examples: Will students actually see or hear it at lunch? Can it show how much is wasted? Can it make people care? Can I make it well with my tools? Criteria should come from the purpose and audience.

Historian: When did the flooding start? Was the land different before houses were built? Scientist: How does snowmelt and soil affect how much water the ground can absorb? Measure water levels over a few weeks.

Because they will see the text too. If the text offends or confuses them, it can backfire on your purpose, even if the primary audience likes it.

Example groups: students, parents who work early shifts, bus drivers and the bus company, teachers, students with after-school jobs or sports, younger siblings who need to be dropped off, caretakers. Easiest to miss: often bus drivers or parents who work early shifts, because they aren't in the classroom. A good answer explains why that voice is missed.

Example: Letter: holds evidence 3, reaches adults 2 (people who read the local paper), makes them care 2, I can do it 3. Post: evidence 1, reaches adults 2, makes them care 3, I can do it 2 (and it needs parent permission). Justification: A letter to the editor fits best because it can hold my survey numbers and cost information, and the adults who vote on town decisions often read the local paper. Other choices are fine if the justification uses criteria.

Example: Research using sources by Inuit authors and organizations, not just outside sources. Avoid stereotypes and don't treat Inuit culture as one single thing. Consider whether you could tell a different story you know from the inside, or a story where your character meets that teen, instead of speaking as them. Be ready to explain your choices. Writing outside your experience takes a lot of care and listening.