The document provides differing viewpoints on the events of the Boston Massacre from multiple eyewitnesses, including colonists, British soldiers, and those who were neutral. It includes testimony from Captain Preston, who commanded the British soldiers, as well as accounts from colonists about what precipitated the shooting and their interactions with the soldiers. The eyewitness testimonies present differing perspectives on crucial details like whether the soldiers were given an order to fire, whether they were being threatened by the colonists, and the chaotic atmosphere of the event.

1. OPINION LETTER
Wonders (ELA) + Reflections (Social Studies)

3. PARTS OF A LETTER
A strong opinion letter contains the five parts of
a formal letter: date, salutation, body, closing,
and signature. This opinion letter opens with an
address and salutation.
STATE YOUR OPINION
The purpose of an opinion letter is to share an
opinion with other people. An opinion letter
should clearly state the writer's opinion about
the topic. In this letter, the writer clearly states
his opinion in the first paragraph.

4. SUPPORT YOUR OPINION
A well-written opinion letter provides reasons
and evidence to support the writer's opinion. In
this letter, the writer supports his opinion by
stating facts about why the nature center is a
worthwhile place to visit.

6. LOGICAL ORDER
A good opinion letter has reasons listed in logical
order. The writer might save the strongest reason
for last. In this letter, the writer saves his strongest
reason for last. He writes, "The Desert Creek
Nature Center is the only facility of its kind in our
county." The students will not be able to have this
experience unless they go to the nature center.
LINKING WORDS
Good writers use linking words to show
connections between ideas. This writer uses
consequently to link the information about the nature
center to the statement that the trip is an important
learning experience.

7. CONCLUSION
A strong opinion letter ends with a call to action. In
this letter, the writer asks the school board to
reconsider cancelling the trip. He also proposes a
plan to ask local businesses to sponsor the trip.

9. THINGS TO LOOK FOR
It includes the parts of a formal letter.
It clearly states the writer’s opinion about a topic.
It supports the writer’s opinion with clear reasons and
relevant evidence, including facts and details.
It organizes reasons and evidence in a logical order, often
saving the strongest reason for last.
It uses linking words to connect ideas.
It provides a conclusion that asks readers to take action.

11. A state of the art
environmental
center fosters an
interest in nature.
The center has programs,
exhibits, and special events,
exhibit gallery, a small
theater, a library, and
program rooms.
Visitors get to spend time
outdoors, exploring the
trails.
The annual fifth-grade trip to the Desert Creek
Nature Center should continue.

12. The programs for
students in grades K–
5 create
understanding and
appreciation of the
environment.
Students get hands-on
experiences with naturalists.
Students can study marshes,
woods, rivers, and lakes in our
community.
In fifth grade, students learn about
watersheds and hydrology. They
also learn how to identify trees.
The fifth-grade trip to
the nature center is an
important learning
experience for
students.
It is the only facility of its kind
in
our county.
60,000 people participate each
year, including 12,000 school
children.

13. YOUR TURN
• Turn to pg. 331 in your Social Studies Book
• Use the Graphic Organizer to plan your letter.
• WHO would you side with? The colonist? The
soldiers?
• Write a letter attacking or defending the actions of
British soldiers that night.

27. “WERE THE BRITISH
SOLDIERS RIGHT OR
WRONG TO OPEN
FIRE?”

29. DIFFERING VIEWPOINTS
Consider viewpoints of Patriots, British soldiers, those
who were neutral.
Develop your OPINION.
Use the graphic organizer to support your OPINION.
Write a letter of COMPLAINT or SUPPORT of the British
soldiers.

30. VIEWPOINT #1
On Friday, the 2d instant, a quarrel arose between some soldiers of
the 29th, and the rope- makers journeymen and apprentices, which
was carried to that length, as to become dangerous to the lives of
each party, many of them being much wounded. This contentious
disposition continued until the Monday evening following, [March
5th] when a party of seven or eight soldiers were detached from the
main guard, under the command of Captain Preston, and by his
orders fired upon the inhabitants promiscuously in King Street,
without the least warning of their intention, and killed three on the
spot; another has since died of his wounds, and others are
dangerously, some it is feared mortally, wounded. Captain Preston
and his party are now in jail. An inquiry is now making into this
unhappy affair . . .
Sam Adams, John Hancock, and others, Committee of the Town of
Boston

31. VIEWPOINT #2
. . . I saw a party of soldiers come from the main guard,
and draw themselves up in a line from the corner of the
Customs-house to the sentry-box; the people still
continued in the street, crying “Fire, fire, and be d - - -
ed,” and hove [throw] some more snow balls;
whereupon I heard a musket go off, and in the space of
two or three seconds, I heard the word “Fire” given, but
by whom I do not know, and instantly the soldiers fired
one after another. I then stood between the sentry-box
and the Custom-house door. And further I know not.

32. VIEWPOINT #3
About 9, some of the guard came to and informed me the
town inhabitants were assembling to attack the troops, that
that the bells were ringing as the signal for that purpose . . . In
my way there, I saw people in great commotion, and heard
them use the most cruel and horrid threats against the
troops . . . about 100 people passed . . . towards the custom
house where the king’s money is lodged. They immediately
surrounded the sentry [British soldier] posted there, and with
clubs and other weapons threatened to execute their
vengeance on him. I was soon informed by a townsman their
intention was to carry off the soldier from his post and
probably murder him . . . he assured me he heard the mob
declare they would murder him.

33. VIEWPOINT #3 CONTINUED
This I feared might be a prelude to their plundering [stealing]
the king’s chest. I immediately sent an officer and 12 men to
protect the sentry and the king’s money . . . they [the soldiers]
rushed through the people and by charging their bayonets in
half circles, kept them [the townspeople] at a little
distance . . . the unhappy affair took place without any loading
in their pieces [muskets]; nor did I ever give orders for loading
them. The mob still increased and were more outrageous,
striking their clubs...and calling out, come on you rascals, you
bloody backs, you lobster scoundrels, fire if you dare . . . fire .
. . At this time I was between the soldiers and the mob,
parleying with and endeavoring all in my power to persuade
them to retire peacefully, but to no purpose.

34. VIEWPOINT #4
When I came into King Street about 9 o'Clock I saw the Soldiers round
the Centinel. I asked one if he was loaded and he said yes. I asked him
if he would fire, he said yes by the Eternal God and pushd his Bayonet
at me. After the firing the Captain came before the Soldiers and put up
their Guns with his arm and said stop firing, dont fire no more or dont
fire again.
I heard the word fire and took it and am certain that it came from behind
the Soldiers. I saw a man passing busily behind who I took to be an
Officer. The firing was a little time after. I saw some persons fall. Before
the firing I saw a stick thrown at the Soldiers. The word fire I took to be
a word of Command. I had in my hand a highland broad Sword which I
brought from home. Upon my coming out I was told it was a wrangle
between the Soldiers and people, upon that I went back and got my
Sword.

35. VIEWPOINT #4 CONTINUED
I never used to go out with a weapon. I had not
my Sword drawn till after the Soldier pushed his
Bayonet at me. I should have cut his head off if
he had stepd out of his Rank to attack me again.
At the first firing the People were chiefly in Royal
Exchange lane, there being about 50 in the
Street. After the firing I went up to the Soldiers
and told them I wanted to see some faces that I
might swear to them another day. The Centinel
in a melancholy tone said perhaps Sir you may.

36. VIEWPOINT #5
I saw one Soldier knocked down. His Gun fell from him. I
saw a great many sticks and pieces of sticks and Ice
thrown at the Soldiers. The Soldier who was knocked
down took up his Gun and fired directly. Soon after the
first Gun I saw a Gentleman behind the Soldiers in velvet
of blue or black plush trimmed with gold. He put his hand
toward their backs. Whether he touched them I know not
and said by God I'll stand by you whilst I have a drop of
blood and then said fire and two went off and the rest to
7 or 8.... The Captain, after, seemed shocked and looked
upon the Soldiers. I am very certain he did not give the
word fire.

37. VIEWPOINT #6
Heard the Bell ring. Ran out. Came to the Chapel. Was told there was no fire
but something better, there was going to be a fight. Some had buckets and bags
and some Clubs. I went to the west end of the Town House where [there] were
a number of people. I saw some Soldiers coming out of the Guard house with
their Guns and running down one after another to the Custom house. Some of
the people said let's attack the Main Guard, or the Centinel who is gone to King
street. Some said for Gods sake don't lets touch the main Guard. I went down.
Saw the Soldiers planted by the Custom l house two deep. The People were
calling them Lobsters, daring 'em to fire 1, saying damn you why don't you fire. I
saw Capt. Preston out from behind 1 the Soldiers. In the front at the right. He
spoke to some people. The Capt. 1 stood between the Soldiers and the Gutter
about two yards from the Gutter. a I saw two or three strike with sticks on the
Guns. I was going off to the west A, of the Soldiers and heard the Guns fire and
saw the dead carried off. Soon l after the Guard Drums beat to arms. The
People whilst striking on the Guns 1 cried fire, d - - - you fire. I have heard no
Orders given to fire, only the people in general cried fire.

38. DIFFERING VIEWPOINTS
Consider viewpoints of Patriots, British soldiers, those
who were neutral.
Develop your OPINION.
Use the graphic organizer to support your OPINION.
Write a letter of COMPLAINT or SUPPORT of the
Patriots who dumped the tea.

41. VIEWPOINT #1

46. VIEWPOINT #2

47. VIEWPOINT #2

48. VIEWPOINT #2

49. DIFFERING VIEWPOINTS
Consider viewpoints of Patriots and of those who were
neutral.
Develop your OPINION.
Use the graphic organizer to support your OPINION.
Write a letter of COMPLAINT or SUPPORT of the
Patriots disguised as Native Americans.