From Research to Public Voice: Supporting Youth’s Writing for Civic Advocacy

Youth’s research into civic issues that engage their interests and ignite their passions can represent powerful learning experiences. Yet the genre of the academic research paper isn’t the most effective means for engaging in civic advocacy. In this session, the National Writing Project introduced a draft of its Civically Engaged Writing Analysis Continuum (CEWAC), comprised of two interconnected rubrics  – one focused on research about civic issues and the second on public arguments. Teacher-leaders engaged in this work shared their students’ writing and considered the implications of these tools for teaching and learning, focusing primarily on youth’s public arguments.