The experimental results of optical activity investigations have been analyzed for three classes of wide band gap semiconductors: cubic crystals of the sillenite-type (point group 23) and tetragonal crystals of II - IV - V2(I - III - VI2) (42 m) and II - V2(422) types. The sign and magnitude of optical rotation in these semiconductors have been discussed on the basis of structural models of optical activity in terms of the coupled linear oscillators.