Role playing activities often help to get students to look at issues from different perspectives. Here are possible roles that could be assigned to students for a panel discussion (to get different points of view expressed in the format of a town meeting) or interview (to get different points of view expressed and to give selected students practice in asking questions to get the information needed).

After Case Study: Violence in Schools (Part I) has been read, the following pieces of information could be cut into strips and given to each student for background information.

• Al Ert, student newspaper editor
  If students do not include the following in their discussion, you might take a stand on one of these ideas or you may ask them:
  Do you think the media should be allowed to photograph students on school grounds if a crime has been committed? Do you think your student photographer should give the police the photographs? As television cameras zoom in on the young who are injured and the alleged perpetrators, are newspapers forced to print the same stories?
  
  
• DeWitt Ness, student photographer
  If students do not include the following in their discussion, you might take a position on this idea or you might ask them:
  Is it the role of photographers to aid the police in their investigations? Does this compromise the press?
  
  
• Bettie Friend, principal
  If students do not include the following in their discussion, you might take a position on one of these ideas or you might ask them:
  Will other students reading this report find it glamorous and want to start a fight at your school, anticipating that they will be on television or in news articles?
  Do you think your student photographer should give the police the photographs?
  
  
• Shirley True, spouse of teacher who was injured
  If students do not include the following in their discussion, you might take a position on this idea or you might ask them:
  Will other students reading this report find it glamorous and want to start a fight at your school, anticipating that they will be on television or in news articles?
  
  
• Mrs. Doe, parent of student who will be charged
  If students do not include the following in their discussion, you might take a position on this idea or you might ask them:
  Is it the place of reporters to speculate on causes of an incident?
  
  
• Wright Now, police officer requesting student photographer give him the photographs taken at the scene
  If students do not include the following in their discussion, you might take a position on this idea or you might ask them:
  Why do you think it is the civic duty of the students to help you?
  
  
• B. Tween, newspaper adviser
  If students do not include the following in their discussion, you might take a position on one of these ideas or you might ask them:
  Does coverage lead to more copycat crimes? You have taught and advised for only two years, you could lose your job if you disagree with the principal. Does this influence you?