Say Mean Matter

SAY-MEAN-MATTER

Say-Mean-Matter is the name for a strategy that helps students question the text, search for deeper meanings, and make connections between text and their lives. It’s effective for all student levels from language learners to honors and AP students. It can be used with academic texts, with fiction, and with non-verbal material as well.

The strategy uses a three-column chart. This can be on an overhead, chart paper, chalkboard or whatever is handy. Once students have learned the method, they can quickly draw the graphic organizer and use it to find meaning and significance. SAY, MEAN, and MATTER are the 3 column titles on the chart.  When initially teaching the strategy, explain what each means using age-appropriate directions and suggestions.

SAY	MEAN	MATTER
What does the text say? What happened? Cite text (quotation) or paraphrase.	What does the author mean? How do I interpret this? Read “between the lines.”	Why does it matter to me or others? Why is this important? What is the significance? What are the implications?

  1.       For each item on the SAY list,  students write what they believe the statement means.   Ask questions, such as, “What makes you think that?” “How do you know that?”

  3.  The third column is the most abstract and may prove to be difficult at first.  . Ask yourself : “So what?” “What is the theme of the piece?” “How does this piece connect to your own life?” “What does it matter to you?”  Or, “What questions does this piece raise?”  “What implications does it hold for a given group of people, or for people in general?” In this column you find the meaning and depth of the piece.

  4.  Use the ideas recorded on the chart to create your thesis and body paragraphs. One way to do this is to start with a statement from the “MATTER” column as a topic or thesis statement, and then draw on the “SAY” and “MEAN” columns for supporting details. The first column provides “text proof,” (what the text says), while the second column provides student interpretation.