Persuasive Speech in Julius Caesar

(Adapted Folger Library)

Plays/Scenes Covered
Julius Caesar 1.2 and 1.3
Objectives:

Students will examine the different tactics of persuasion they use in their own lives and see how those tactics are used in the language of Julius Caesar. Through improvisation, analysis, discussion, reading, and writing, they will help to examine the tone and tactics of persuasive speech.

Essential Question(s):

  1. How does Shakespeare use language, style, structure, and rhetorical devices to develop themes and achieve specific effects in his dramas The Tragedy of Julius Caesar?

CCGPS

RL1 - Comprehension and Interpretation
RL2 - Theme
RL3 - Contemporary Context/Historical Background
C1 - Usage and mechanics

LSV 1 - Verbal interactions (Student-Teacher, Student - Student, Group)

Procedures:

1. Within your assigned groups of 3-4 designate one student to play the part of the persuader, and another the object of the persuasion. The remaining students in the group should try to note the different tactics and tones used by the persuader(s). Your groups will be assigned 2 of the following prompts.

Prompt 1: Persuade your best friend to loan you money.

Prompt 2: Persuade your parents to let you stay out later.

Prompt 3: Persuade a teacher to take your late homework.

Prompt 4: Persuade apotential boyfriend/girlfriend to go out with you.

Prompt 5: Persuade your principal to consider instituting school uniforms.

2. You must present your prompt and argument in a variety of ways using the strategies of persuasion discussed in class and in the PowerPoint. React first in a positive, next in a negative, and finally in a neutral manner to each of the assigned prompts. Students should note the different strategies used with each response.

Answer the following questions:

3.How do the tactics of persuasion change with each reaction?In what waysdoes the tone of the encounter change?

4. Now compare these tactics to the ones Cassius uses in 1.2 and 1.3. Are there any similarities? Does Cassius cross any moral boundaries? What would you add or subtract from Cassius's ideas?

Homework:

5. Think about the world of politics and its influences on the “common people.” Pick a speech by a president, world leader, or other politician to analyze. This can be a speech presented by the person or it can be a persuasive piece written about the person. Identify and explain how the persuasion strategies are used in the piece. How does the power of persuasion influence the average voting citizen? (1page written analysis)