Making Decisions and Judgements

1. Conscience alley (or decision alley)

This strategy in which members of a class literally take sides is very useful for reviewing an argument, sharing conflicting viewpoints and taking stock of the factors which need to be considered before making a decision. The class divides into two group depending on which side of an argument they or their roles prefer. The two groups line up facing each other forming a corridor or alley. A character with a decision or judgement to make can now walk down the alley. As he passes, each person in the line says something to persuade the decision-maker of a particular point of view. The person who travels down the alley will simultaneously hear apposing views or advice expressed and at the end of the journey can make a decision or judgement by joining one of the two lines. This can be repeated several times with different members of the class experiencing the alley and reaching their own decisions.

2. Voting with your feet

This is similar to ‘Where do you stand’ but here people place themselves on a line. The feelings of a group about a particular issue in a drama can be quickly and effectively gauged by indication or drawing a line on the floor using string, chalk or a long paper strip. At either ends of the line two contrasting arguments or position statements are written on large sheets of paper. The class is now invited to take up a position on that line relating to their particular viewpoint. Stress that although some people may feel very strongly about the issue and feel the need to be at the end of the line others may be less certain and find themselves moving towards the middle ground. Having listened to the thinking behind these decisions using prompts to justify and explain, such as ‘I’m standing here because ……’ you could ask if anyone wants to change position on the line. The activity can be repeated at various points in the drama. It is interesting to see if people change their positions having participated in the drama.

3. Where do you stand?

This strategy helps to sympathize and empathize with characters in a drama. At any moment in a drama the class can be invited to show how they feel about a character by placing themselves in a space in relation to that character. If for example a king has made a decision you might ask people to stand close to the king if they think the king is right, or far from him if they think he is making a mistake. In the case of an argument between two roles people can show which side they support by moving closer to one of the two roles. Statement prompts such as ‘I am standing here because ….’ Can help to explain and justify the reasoning behind the person’s positioning.