Interpretive Statement Wall

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This protocol helps students develop revision skills by asking clarifying and critical questions about each other’s interpretive statements or thesis statements.  This helps students develop an objective perspective on their writing and appreciate the role language plays in clearly communicating abstract ideas in response to a work.

Process 

  1. Sit in a horizontal line looking at the statements posted by your groupmates.
  2. The person sitting farthest to the left asks a question about a statement posted on the wall.
  3. The person who wrote the statement responds.
  4. Move to the next person in line (from the left).  They can further inquire about the same statement or ask about a different statement on the wall.  The person who wrote the statement responds.
  5. The process repeats for a set amount of time determined by the teacher.  When students get to the end of their line, they can start over again with the first person (farthest to the left).
  6. At the end of the protocol, ask students to reflect in their portfolios:  How might others’ questions push us to be better writers?  What are the characteristics of a “good” interpretive or thesis statements?

References
Adapted from the “Assumptions Wall” protocol: “The Adaptive School:  Strategies and Moves for Facilitating Groups”.  Thinking Collaborative, https://www.thinkingcollaborative.com/as-resources

Image by nugroho dwi hartawan from Pixabay