Lesson Plan Template WCSD Writing Program Teacher’s name: Sara Jones Teacher’s school: Edward C. Reed High School
Writing Type/Genre: Argument Lesson Title: “How to Win an Argument” Standards-based Outcomes: Argument: Introduce precise claims, and create and organization that establishes clear relationships among claims, reasons, and evidence. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented. Student Outcomes: Students will be able to name the three important parts of an argument and use them to organize an argument with another person. Audience and Purpose for Lesson: Any class beginning the discussion of organizing written or verbal argument. Pre-requisite Skills/Background Knowledge: I teach the “Fact vs. Opinion” trio of minilessons before I teach this unit. It’s useful because students can easily understand that EVIDENCE is factual and COMMENTARY is opinion. Resources/Supplies Needed: Each student needs one of the “Argument Organizers” included with this lesson. You should also make one copy of the “Argument Topics” and cut it apart into its component slips. If you have more than 32 students in your class, you may need to add a topic or two. You will also need the electronic files of the clip from Billy Madison and Monty Python. Billy Madison Clip link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9EhvDAMjWc Monty Python Clip link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnTmBjk-M0c Mentor Text(s): Any script in the literature book or outside text
Brief Overview of Lesson: Students will use 3 important parts of an essay (CLAIM, EVIDENCE, and COMMENTARY) to structure an argument.