Activities

1. Identify relevant reasons that provide support for position taken on topic.
   
   
2. Identify facts and details that provide support for each stated reason.
   
   
3. Match facts and details to stated reasons.
   
   
4. Arrange reasons in logical order.
   
   
5. List sources for facts and details used.

6. Consider and explain why reasons are ordered in chosen way.
   
   
7. Consider and explain why facts and details for each reason are ordered in chosen way.
   
   
8. Add additional information or modify the order of reasons based on predictions of what readers might think/interpret upon reading the piece of writing.
   
   
9. Add additional information or modify the order of facts and details for each reason based on predictions of what readers might think/interpret upon reading the piece of writing.

10. Determine if reasons adequately and appropriately support position taken on topic.  Revise reasons as needed to provide additional topic support.
    
    
11. Determine if facts and details adequately and appropriately support each reason. Revise and provide additional facts and details as needed to offer necessary support for each reason.
    
    
12. Critique and adjust order of reasons to assure most logical order.
    
    
13. Investigate additional reasons that may provide further support for topic.
    
    
14. Cite facts and details from vetted, credible sources.

Answer Key/Rubric

1. Suitable reasons

• Are directly related to the topic.
• Support the position for the topic.
• Are meaningful and significant.

2. Facts and details that provide support for reasons

• Are directly related to the stated reason.
• Provide further support for the reason and the stated position for the topic.
• Are meaningful and significant in supporting the reason.

3. Facts and details are aligned with the most fitting reasons.  Direct connections are evident between facts and details and the reasons they support.
   
   
4. Reasons are arranged in a logical order.  Logical order might be strongest to weakest, weakest to strongest, chronological order, or another order that can be logically defended.
   
   
5. Sources for supporting facts and details can be stated.  While some facts and details might be defended saying they are “general knowledge,” most should have sources that back them up.
   
   
6. Order for reasons that support the position for the topic is explained and can be defended as to why they are in the most appropriate order. Logical order might be strongest to weakest, weakest to strongest, chronological order, or another order that can be logically defended.
   
   
7. Order for facts and details that support each reason are explained and can be defended as to why they are in the most appropriate order.  Logical order might be strongest to weakest, weakest to strongest, chronological order, or another order that can be logically defended.
   
   
8. Writer considers the understanding, interpretation, and reaction of the reader of the opinion writing and modifies the order of reasons based on that information.
   
   
9. For example, if the reader might have a differing view of the most important reason, the writer might change the order or add additional information to support a reason. This provides the writer a chance to consider another’s point of view and adjust and react accordingly.
   
   
10. Writer considers the understanding, interpretation, and reaction of the reader of the opinion writing and modifies the order and number of facts and details that support each reason based on that information.
    
    
11. Writer analyzes the reasons given and how they directly connect to and support opinion stated.  Reasons are properly revised if they don’t demonstrate a direct connection to, or strong support for, the stated opinion.
    
    
12. Writer analyzes the details and facts given and how they directly connect to and support each reason stated.  Details and facts are properly revised if they don’t demonstrate a direct connection to, or strong support for, the stated opinion.
    
    
13. Writer considers other possible orders for the reasons and based on findings, continues using same order or adjusts order of reasons to provide additional support for opinion.  This might be a “what if” exercise that encourages the writer to try out other orders. 
    
    
14. Writer researches and examines additional reasons that might provide additional support for the topic.  If additional reasons are added to writing, their place is carefully considered.
    Sources that are used to provide facts and details are researched to assure their credibility.  Sources that are found not to be credible are not used for support in writing.  Through this vetting process, the writer evaluates resources and appropriately reacts to the findings.