Teach Alex Date: 11/7/1 Distri Northwes School UNT

er:
Subjec
Novak
ELA UNT
Grad Lesson
4th Plan
6 ct:
Unit
t ISD
Persuasiv
:
Lesso Made
t area: e Title e Writing n to
Level Title: Persua
: de
Purpose and Lesson
Standard(s): Understanding Essential
goals(s): Question(s):
(19) Students will Why is persuasive
understand writing important?
Writing/Persuasive
How to use What makes
Texts. Students write persuasive writing. persuasive writing
persuasive texts to The important different than other
influence the attitudes aspects of writing?
persuasive writing. How can you create
or actions of a specific
How to strengthen a strong argument?
audience on specific an argument.
issues. Students are
expected to write
persuasive essays for
appropriate audiences
that establish a position
and use supporting
details.

Student Assessment Lesson Steps/Activities including

Objectives of Timeline & Grouping
: Objectives:
Students Students will Attention grabber:
will be able demonstrate Teacher: Shark Bait
to their Students: Hoo Ha Ha
Write a understanding Have the following items ready in the
persuasi through a colored folders at the end of each
ve letter formal table:
about a assessment Persuasive Turtle graphic organizer
class by: Rough Draft Letter Writing paper
pet. Revise and Edit Checklist
Incorpor Writing a Final Copy paper
ate one persuasive
of the letter over a
three class pet that Anticipatory set (35 seconds):
appeals meets the Ask the students to raise their hand if
into requirements they have ever wanted something really
their of the grading bad.
writing. Choose one or two students to share 1
rubric
List at attached. what they wanted and what process they
took to attempt to get it. Did they
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Definitions of Appeals:

1. Reason
o people make logical explanations and draw cause-and-effect-
conclusions
ex: you should change the way you eat to a healthier diet
because there is medical research about the negative effects
that unhealthy, processed food has on your body.
2. Character
o building trust gained by having knowledge of the person or a
reputation
Global warming as real because scientist have been researching
it for years and have found proof through the changes in our
environment.
3. Emotion
build on what is ethical, socially responsible, or what will gain
acceptance
You should donate to our organization or else millions of dogs
will suffer and possibly die.
Planning Process:
Give students time to work after each number. Walk around to monitor student
progress and provide assistance to those who need it. Move to the next number
when the majority of the group has theirs written, and assist those who may be
working at a slower pace.

1. Main Idea: Alexs main idea for his letter, was that he wanted a pet iguana.
Your main idea will be about what type of class pet you want. Take a few
moments to choose your class pet and write your main idea in the top portion
of your turtle shell
2. Reasons: Alex had multiple reasons of why he should get a pet iguana. Here
are three reasons that would fit well in my letter: 1. They are quiet 2. They
are easy to take care of 3. They are cheap. Think of reasons why your class
pet would be good for the classroom. You do not have to write complete
sentences for this.
3. Evidence: Alex had a variety of evidence to back up his reasons. This is what I
choose: 1. iguanas are really quiet. They are not like dogs who bark and
might wake everyone up. 2. You only have to feed him once a day, make sure
he has water, and clean his cage. 3. We can get one for free and I can pay for
his food. He only eats lettuce which cant cost that much. For each of your
reasons, think of evidence that can back it up and prove your point. Make
sure that the evidence supports your reason and is true. For example, do not
say that iguanas are quiet because they are cute. Remember, you do not

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have to write complete sentences. Feel free to use the library books to help
you get ideas.
4. Counter Arguments: In order to make a really convincing argument, it is
important to think of ways that people might argue with you so that you can
tackle it in your writing. Alex had a couple of ways, but the one that I picked
was when his mom said iguanas are uglier than a godzilla. To argue this, Alex
said, You wouldnt have to see them. You do not have the advantage to
know what your teacher will say, so you need to put yourself in her shoes and
ask what could go wrong, or why wouldnt I like this pet. Then you need to
provide a counter argument. An example would be: You might not think that
iguanas are not very cute, but I would keep him in my room above the
dresser so you wouldnt even have to see him.
5. Closing: Here is my closing for Alex: An iguana would make a great pet and I
promise to take good care of it. If you let me keep him, you will be a hero!
Think about how awesome this could be. Think of a way to tie your letter all
together. You can do so with a personal appeal, a prediction, or a summary of
your arguments.
6. Requirements: if you take a look at your goals for the day, you need to use
one of the three appeals that we talked about earlier (appeal to reason,
character, and emotion), and you also need to create a convincing argument.
You can do this by using at least two of the ways to strengthen your
argument which is displayed on the wall (review this anchor chart). I am
going to highlight on my graphic organizer where I have included these just
to make sure (highlight the counter and weakness as well as the facts). I
noticed that I wanted to appeal to emotion, and did not include it in my
graphic organizer. I put my appeal to emotion in the turtles mouth. If you
notice that you need to add something, you can write it here.

In-text Examples of the Three Appeals:

If I dont take the iguana, he goes to Stinky and Stinkys dog, Lurch, will eat it. You
dont want that to happen, do you? (emotion because it applies to morals or ethics/
whats the right thing to do)

We should get an iguana because then I could teach it tricks and things which
would be entertaining. (Reason because it has a cause and effect)

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Example Letter
Dear Mom,

I really want to take Mikeys baby iguana when he moves. If I do not take it, he will
go to Stinky, and his dog might eat him. You do not want that to happen, do you?
Mikeys iguana would make a fantastic pet!

First, let me start by explaining how enjoyable an iguana would be as a pet. For one,
they are extremely quiet because they hardly make any noise. Unlike a dog, who
might bark all the time, you will not hear a peep from this reptile. In addition, they
are cuter than hamsters! You may disagree, but that is ok because you would not
have to see him anyways. I will keep him in my room, above the dresser where you
wont even notice him.

Another reason why these lizards make ideal pets is because they are easy to take
care off. For example, you only have to feed them once a day, make sure they have
enough water, and clean their cage every once in a while. It is easy as pie, and I will
do all of it so you do not have to.

Finally, Mikeys iguana will not cost much at all, because he will give it to me for
free. If you let me have him, I will even pay for his food. All he eats is lettuce, which
should be pretty cheap, right?

This iguana would be the best pet in the whole world. Plus, if we do this, we will be
heroes! Think about how fun this could be.

Love,

Alex

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Sentence starters for stating your opinion
In my opinion
I think
I feel
I believe
My favorite
Transition when providing reasons
First
To start
To begin with
Second/next
Another reason
Finally
Transitions when providing examples
For example
For instance
Specifically
Additionally
In fact
An example is
Transitions when coming to a conclusion
In conclusion
All in all
To sum it up
To summarize
Finally

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ESL word bank & Fact sheet

Guinea Pig
Eats hay and leafy
vegetables and fruit
They eat all day and night
Feels Soft
They like being around
people
They do not bite for
defense
They love to be held
They are easy to handle
because they are very
tame

Frog
Like eating live bugs
Great to show how
ecosystems work in
science
Lives on land and water

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Bunny
Eat plants
Most active in the morning
and evening
Make very good pets
Make very little noise
Love getting attention
Very soft

Turtle
Is a reptile
Live in an aquarium
Most active during the day
Eats fish, fruits and
vegetables, and pellet food
from the store.

Fish
Live in water/ aquarium
Take up little space
Do not need a lot of time
They do not make noise

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Peer Revising and Editing Checklist

Persuasive Writing

Revising

o Letter has an apparent persuasive stance/position

o Letter shows one of the three appeals (reason, character, or
emotion)
o At least two ways are demonstrated of how the writer
strengthened their argument (meaningful facts, examples,
evidence, counterargument)

Editing

o All sentences start with capital letters and represent complete

thoughts
o Correct punctuation is used
o Words are spelled correctly throughout the letter
o Letter includes an opening and a closing

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Persuasive Grading Rubric

1 2 3 4

Focus Letter does not have Letter sometimes Letter mostly has a Letter has a focus
a focus has focus focus throughout

Grammar Letter has more Letter has 3-4 Letter has 1-2 Letter has no
than 4 grammatical grammatical errors grammatical errors grammatical errors
errors

Effectiveness Doesnt use an Uses one appeal but Uses one appeal Uses at least one
appeal or a way to doesnt include a and one way to appeal, and two
strengthen an way to strengthen strengthen an ways to strengthen
argument an argument argument an argument

Completes Letter has no Letter has 1 Letter has 2 Letter has 3

Assignment evidence supporting piece of supporting pieces of supporting pieces of
requirements evidence evidence evidence

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