Unit Plan Cover Page

Unit Topic: Arguments/Rhetorical Analysis Time Frame: 9 weeks

Subject/Course: English Grade Level: 12

CONTENT STANDARDS
List all appropriate national, state or district standards that align to this unit.
Reading
11-12.RI.5
11-12.RI.6
11-12.RI.10

Writing
11-12.W.1
11-12.W.2

BIG IDEA/ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

Big Idea/Enduring Understanding guiding this unit:

Knowing how to both craft and identify the rhetorical elements of arguments is a valuable life skill

Essential Questions:

What makes an argument persuasive?

How do the author’s choices impact the effectiveness of the text? How can one analyze the rhetorical strategies employed by an author?

How does your knowledge of rhetorical devices and argument structure affect the way you view the world around you?

ASSESSMENTS
List the assessments that will be used to gauge student learning. This may include traditional quizzes or exams, as well as major learning activities such
as simulations, labs, etc.
Formative Assessments:
Students will complete a combination of individual, small group, and whole-class assessments
 Students will fill out exit slips semi-regularly to check for understanding of concepts and the meeting of daily objectives
 Students will fill out a worksheet for their “Battle of the Bars” argument with their groups. The goal is to persuade the audience that their
group’s candy bar is the best. Groups will also be asked to present their argument to the opposing group. The most effective argument will win!
  While watching the movie Schooled, students will fill out a viewing guide to check that they can identify the various parts of argument, including
pathos, logos, and ethos, throughout the movie.
 Students will individually read and annotate the parts of argument present in current arguments and speeches
 Students will use a rhetorical framework worksheet to guide their analysis of various persuasive texts

Summative Assessments:
Students will be writing an argumentative essay, completing a rhetorical analysis of commercials in groups, and writing/presenting a persuasive speech
to assess their understanding of the parts of argument and rhetorical devices.
Revenge Essay
 Students will argue whether or not it is appropriate for individuals, such as those found in Hamlet, to seek revenge when one is wronged. They
must use evidence from both Hamlet and the approved source list to support their claims.

Rhetorical Analysis Group Project

 Students will work in groups to rhetorically analyze a commercial. They must create a presentation that shows their analysis of a commercial
using their knowledge of SOAPS-G, rhetorical appeals, and rhetorical devices.

Speech
 Students will write and present a persuasive speech on a topic of their choosing. Students will be required to implement rhetorical appeals and
devices to strengthen their argument.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS
List all resources (copyrighted or otherwise) that you will need to teach this unit. This should be a comprehensive list of all resources you will need to
create or borrow (including textbook chapters, additional readings, videos, power points and teaching notes, handouts, assessments, etc.)

Growth Mindset PowerPoint

Parts of an Argument PowerPoint and guided notes
Example arguments (articles, essays, speeches, videos) – Yes/No Prescription Pill Epidemic article, Oprah Winfrey Golden Globe Speech, Bush’s
9/11 speech, Emma Watson “He for She” speech
Candy Bar Wars PowerPoint
Revenge/Argument Essay PowerPoint and essay outline handout
Laptops (COW) for writing essays
Rhetorical Devices PowerPoint and guided notes
Rhetoric in the Real World (group project) PowerPoint & prompt sheet/rubric
Schooled – movie and notetaker
Soaps-tone/appeals PowerPoint
Rhetorical framework worksheet
 Quarter 3 Unit Calendar

JAN MONDAY TUES/WED 8/ 9 THURSDAY 10 FRIDAY

7 11

Welcome back from break! PowerPoint- 17 parts of argument (Structure of Finish “Yes/No” -
 Find Someone Who.../ discussion about break argument and the influence of rhetorical discuss
WORK DAY  Review expectations appeals)
 Overview of Q3/Learning Goals If time, work on
 Music Monday Re-Intro goals poster
Read/annotate example argument
Growth Mindset PP & Goals Poster  “Yes/No Prescription Pill Epidemic”
https://medium.com/benefit-mindset/5-simple-activities-
for-exploring-the-power-of-mindsets-8f92e533f19b

Reduced Shakespeare/Simpsons

JAN MONDAY TUES/WED 15/16 THURSDAY 17 FRIDAY 18

13 14

Candy Bar WU: Grammar #6 Watch Schooled + viewing Finish Schooled + viewing guide
Wars! guide
Intro Sr. Capstone Project – Assign Media Assignment Part 1
Observation due Friday 2/8 + Show examples DUE: Music Monday second
#1 semester submission
Sample argument with graphic organizer - “Penny Debate”
JAN 20 MONDAY 21 TUES/WED 22/23 THURSDAY 24 FRIDAY 25

Finish Schooled and viewing guide Continue outlining/drafting revenge essay Continue drafting essay
NO SCHOOL HOLIDAY!
Introduce Argument Revenge Essay PP & rubric

Start reading/annotating sources

Start outlining revenge essay

JAN MONDAY 28 TUES/WED 29/30 THURSDAY 31 FEBRUARY

27 FRIDAY 1

Grammar #7 & 8 Senior Project check-in Warm Up: Table

Edit/finalize revenge essay group
Rhetorical Analysis Intro PP & INTRODUCE ROAD MAPS advertisement
Review grading rubric/ checklist Notes (due MONDAY 2/11) analysis

Upload final draft to TII by 11:59 PM TONIGHT Teach soaps-tone/appeals - Why
is rhetorical analysis important?
Analyze Oprah Winfrey Golden
Globe speech using rhetorical
framework
Background info on 9/11 Rhetorically analyze
(PP) websites using
rhetorical
Independently: Complete framework
rhetorical analysis chart +
identify appeals used in
Bush’s 9/11 Speech
FEB MONDAY 4 TUES/WED 5/ 6 THURSDAY 7 FRIDAY 8
3

Rhetoric in the real world Grammar #9 Finish rhetoric in the real Due: Part 1 Media
(Pre-chosen commercials) Review grammar for post-test world presentation Assignment
 Groups of 3-4 - google slide presentation (next block day we give test -
 Intro PP and rubric Tuesday 2/12) Start presenting rhetoric in Finish presenting
the real world rhetoric in the real
Show example Work on rhetoric in the real world
https://teachargument.com/advertisements/teaching- world presentation
rhetoric-super-bowl-commercials/ Work on Road Maps

Assign groups and commercials

Start working on presentation

FEB MONDAY 11 TUES/WED 12/13 THURSDAY 14 FRIDAY 15

10

Grammar Post-test Draft speeches Draft speeches

DUE: Roadmaps
Intro Argument Speech Assignment and HW: 1st draft of speech due next
Intro Media Assignment Part 2 - due brainstorm/approve topics block day (Feb 19/20)
next Friday 2/22
[Valentine’s Day activity]
Present roadmaps
Show Emma Watson “He for She” Speech as
Inspiration
FEB MONDAY 18 TUES/WED 19/20 THURSDAY 21 FRIDAY 22
17

Draft or Peer Edit Speeches Due: Media Assignment Part 2

DUE: 1st draft of speech
NO SCHOOL
Peer edit and revise speeches
(Peermark)
Sign up for calendar day to deliver speech (but all
must come ready just in case time allows for
more)
Draft Speeches
Rough draft feedback review
HW: Hard copy of an almost perfect
draft is due MONDAY 2/25 for
rehearsing

FEB MONDAY 25 TUES 26 WED 27 THURSDAY 28 MARCH FRIDAY 1

24 BLOCK ODD ASSEMBLY EVEN
(MORP)

Audience Feedback Continue Continue delivering Continue delivering

DUE: Hard copy draft of speech Requirements/ Pick a student delivering speeches speeches
to time speeches speeches
In Class: Rounds of practice/ partner
practice (review body language, outfit, eye Start delivering speeches
contact, bring notecards) (grade as they present)

HW: Final draft of speech + final feedback

review (Q3 FINAL EXAM) due in TII by
midnight TONIGHT 2/25
MARCH MONDAY 4 TUES/WED 5/6 THURSDAY 7 FRIDAY 8
3

Continue delivering Continue delivering speeches Finish delivering School City Q3 Final? OR Play 30 Days Episode
speeches speeches with notes guide?
Review Sr Project
rubric/expectations EVIT DE - deliver
speeches
Play Senior Projects + grade them

3/6 EVIT DE - deliver speeches