Voices Clash

This passage focuses on the Anti-Federalists’ opposition to the Constitution. They believed the national government would become too powerful, favor the wealthy, and ignore common people. They also wanted a Bill of Rights to guarantee freedoms like speech and religion. Through essays, speeches, and letters, they warned people to think carefully before approving the Constitution. Even though the Constitution was ratified, the Anti-Federalists’ push for freedoms resulted in the Bill of Rights being added.

Reading this type of passage helps students understand persuasive writing, since Anti-Federalists used essays and speeches to spread their ideas. Vocabulary like “ratified,” “wealthy,” and “freedoms” builds word knowledge. Students practice comprehension by identifying the Anti-Federalists’ main concerns. Critical thinking improves as they evaluate why these concerns were important. The structure of the passage also models clear argument organization, which helps improve writing skills.