Creating Critical Thinking Writers in Middle School: A Look at the Jane Schaffer Model

<p>A key component of good writing is the use of critical thinking skills. Without deeper levels of reflection and thinking, writing becomes superficial, less interesting, and harder to follow. Too many essays do not reflect the use of critical thinking. This paper examines the effects of the Jane Schaffer method and the degree to which it has improved writing skills and critical thinking in my students. The sample consists of two classes of eighth grade students’ written response to literature essays. In looking at this widely used method of teaching essay writing, the paper evaluates strengths and weaknesses of the different strategies of writing insofar as how they create better, reflective thinkers. The research sought to determine how well students were able to create a thesis for a paper, and if they could create three topic sentences that support their thesis. Results indicated that students need more practice writing and more instruction in using critical thinking skills.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Education

Year dc:date.available

2012

Author dc:creator

• Roybal, Richard A.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Madalienne F. Peters, EdD

• Critical Thinking
• Jane Schaffer
• Writing Skills
• Education

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholar.dominican.edu/masters-theses/125

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholar.dominican.edu:masters-theses-1124