Unit Title: Persuasive Writing

Unit Duration: 7 lessons

Lesson 1: Introduction to Persuasive Writing Objective: Students will understand the purpose and characteristics of persuasive writing.

• Introduce the concept of persuasive writing and its purpose.
• Discuss the characteristics of persuasive writing, such as the use of evidence, logical reasoning, and emotional appeal.
• Analyze examples of persuasive writing to identify these characteristics.
• Provide students with a prompt and have them brainstorm arguments for and against the prompt.

Assessment Task: Students will write a short paragraph stating their opinion on the given prompt and provide at least two reasons to support their opinion.

Lesson 2: Understanding the Audience Objective: Students will learn how to consider their audience when writing persuasively.

• Discuss the importance of considering the audience’s perspective and beliefs.
• Analyze different audiences and their potential reactions to persuasive writing.
• Provide students with a new prompt and have them brainstorm arguments specifically tailored to a specific audience.

Assessment Task: Students will write a persuasive letter to a specific audience, using appropriate language and arguments that would appeal to that audience.

Lesson 3: Organizing Arguments Objective: Students will learn how to organize their arguments effectively in persuasive writing.

• Introduce different organizational structures for persuasive writing, such as the five-paragraph essay or the Toulmin model.
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each structure.
• Provide students with a prompt and have them outline their arguments using one of the organizational structures.

Assessment Task: Students will write a persuasive essay using the chosen organizational structure, clearly presenting their arguments and supporting evidence.

Lesson 4: Using Evidence Objective: Students will learn how to use evidence effectively to support their arguments.

• Discuss the importance of using credible sources and evidence in persuasive writing.
• Teach students how to find and evaluate reliable sources.
• Provide students with a prompt and have them research and gather evidence to support their arguments.

Assessment Task: Students will write a persuasive speech, incorporating at least three pieces of evidence to support their arguments.

Lesson 5: Counterarguments and Rebuttal Objective: Students will learn how to address counterarguments and strengthen their persuasive writing.

• Discuss the concept of counterarguments and the importance of addressing them in persuasive writing.
• Teach students how to identify and analyze counterarguments.
• Provide students with a prompt and have them brainstorm potential counterarguments and develop rebuttals.

Assessment Task: Students will write a persuasive essay that addresses at least one counterargument and provides a strong rebuttal.

Lesson 6: Emotional Appeal Objective: Students will learn how to use emotional appeal effectively in persuasive writing.

• Discuss the role of emotional appeal in persuasive writing and its impact on the audience.
• Analyze examples of persuasive writing that effectively use emotional appeal.
• Provide students with a prompt and have them brainstorm ways to incorporate emotional appeal into their arguments.

Assessment Task: Students will write a persuasive letter that includes at least one emotional appeal to persuade the reader.

Lesson 7: Editing and Revision Objective: Students will learn how to edit and revise their persuasive writing for clarity and effectiveness.

• Teach students the importance of editing and revising their writing.
• Provide students with a checklist of criteria to review their persuasive writing.
• Have students peer-edit each other’s work and provide constructive feedback.

Assessment Task: Students will revise and edit their persuasive essay based on peer feedback and submit a final polished version.

Final Assessment: Students will present their persuasive speeches to the class, showcasing their ability to effectively persuade an audience using the skills learned throughout the unit.