Persuasive Writing Unit

Explanation Unit Focus

Utilizing practice GHSGT prompts, Philosophical Chairs, and the incorporation of modern film, students will engage in various modes of persuasive writing. Additionally, students will incorporate knowledge of Standard language and conventions in writing.

GHSGT Practice Prompts (See Attached.)

  • High school drop outs
  • Creating a new high school course

Philosophical Chairs

  • Students will use Philosophical Chairs to facilitate the brainstorming process. For example, students will turn the writing prompt into a general statement (A junior in high school should not drop out of high school) that will allow students an opportunity to agree/disagree. The class will divide into two groups (agree or disagree) and argue their position using evidence and/or examples to support.

Modern Film

  • Students will view Building a Dream: The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy.
  • Students will read a controversial article that proposes Oprah’s decision to build the school in Johannesburg, South Africa as opposed to in the U.S.
  • Students will discuss the article by including evidence/examples to support their position on the article.
  • Students will write a 4-5 paragraph essay that addresses the following prompt: Would American students have benefited more from the LeadershipAcademy than the students in Johannesburg, South Africa?

Themes, Vocabulary, Literary Devices, Concepts and Topics

  • Thesis statement
  • Ethos, pathos, logos
  • Propaganda
  • audience
  • Conventions: punctuation (use of semicolons, colons, and hyphens), sentence structure (compound, complex, and compound-complex), and transitional devices

Unit Focus Standards

ELA10W1 – The student produces writing that establishes an appropriate organizational structure, sets a context and engages the reader, maintains a coherent focus throughout, and signals closure.

  1. Establishes a clear, distinctive, and coherent thesis or persuasive and

maintains a consistent tone and focus throughout.

  1. Supports statements and claims with anecdotes, descriptions, facts and statistics, and specific examples.

ELA10C1 – The student demonstrates understanding and control of the rules of the English language, realizing that usage involves the appropriate application of conventions and grammar in both written and spoken formats.

  1. Demonstrates an understanding of proper English usage and control of

grammar sentence and paragraph structure, diction, and syntax.

  1. Demonstrates an understanding of sentence construction and proper English usage.

Essential Questions

What is persuasive writing?

What purpose does persuasive writing serve?

How is persuasion used in the media (ex. television commercials, magazines, billboards)?