Lesson Plan: Writing - Acknowledging Sources in Non-Fiction Writing

Subject: Languages (Scottish Curriculum) Topic: Writing Level: Second Level Focus: Non-Fiction Writing Desired Outcome: I recognise the need to acknowledge my sources and can do this appropriately.

Lesson Duration: 60 minutes

Resources: - Whiteboard or blackboard - Markers or chalk - Handout with examples of non-fiction texts - Sample non-fiction texts (books, articles, or online sources) - Worksheets for practice

Introduction (10 minutes): 1. Greet the students and briefly explain the purpose of the lesson. 2. Ask the students if they have ever written a non-fiction piece or used information from different sources. 3. Discuss the importance of acknowledging sources in non-fiction writing. 4. Introduce the desired outcome: “Today, we will learn how to appropriately acknowledge our sources when writing non-fiction texts.”

Main Activities (40 minutes):

Activity 1: Understanding the Importance of Acknowledging Sources (15 minutes) 1. Display examples of non-fiction texts on the board or distribute handouts. 2. Ask the students to identify the different sources used in the texts (e.g., books, websites, interviews). 3. Discuss why it is important to acknowledge these sources (e.g., giving credit to the original author, avoiding plagiarism, providing evidence for claims). 4. Engage the students in a class discussion about the potential consequences of not acknowledging sources.

Activity 2: Identifying Different Ways to Acknowledge Sources (15 minutes) 1. Explain to the students that there are various ways to acknowledge sources in non-fiction writing. 2. Provide examples of different methods, such as in-text citations, footnotes, and bibliographies. 3. Discuss when each method is appropriate and how it can be used effectively. 4. Show examples of non-fiction texts with proper source acknowledgments. 5. Ask the students to identify the different methods used in the examples.

Activity 3: Practice Acknowledging Sources (10 minutes) 1. Distribute worksheets with short non-fiction passages to the students. 2. Instruct the students to read the passages and identify the sources used. 3. Ask the students to write a short paragraph acknowledging the sources appropriately. 4. Monitor the students’ progress and provide assistance as needed.

Conclusion (10 minutes): 1. Review the importance of acknowledging sources in non-fiction writing. 2. Recap the different methods discussed for acknowledging sources. 3. Provide feedback on the students’ practice worksheets, highlighting correct examples. 4. Encourage the students to apply their knowledge of source acknowledgment in their future non-fiction writing. 5. Conclude the lesson by summarizing the key points covered.

Assessment: - Monitor students’ participation and engagement during class discussions. - Evaluate the students’ ability to identify and acknowledge sources appropriately in the practice worksheets. - Provide feedback on the students’ understanding of the importance of acknowledging sources in non-fiction writing.

Extension Activities: 1. Assign a non-fiction writing task where students must incorporate source acknowledgment. 2. Encourage students to research and find reliable sources for their non-fiction writing. 3. Discuss the concept of plagiarism and its consequences, emphasizing the importance of originality and proper source acknowledgment.