Tharayil-Trimester 3 2012-2013

Unit Map, 8th Grade Writing Unit Title: Writing Fundamentals and Persuasive Writing Grade/Course: 8th Grade Length of Unit: 6-7 Weeks Author: Sneha Tharayil Essential Questions: o Critical Thinking: o How can we formulate educated and meaningful opinions on relevant societal issues? o How is persuasion critical to change? o How can we use persuasive strategies to effect change? o What are the qualities/characteristics of good writing? o How do we develop strong, convincing persuasive arguments? o How do we conduct quality research to help substantiate arguments? o How do we organize and synthesize a wealth of information from a variety of sources? o How do we select information to inform, explain, and convey a point? o How do we effectively convey information orally in a respectful dialogue? o How can we effectively anticipate, address and rebut counter-arguments and counter-points on an issue? o Writing: o How do we develop a strong thesis statement that guides and directs the rest of the paper? o How do we organize several points into a few major overarching arguments? o How do we determine what points are the most important? o How do we construct well-written, evidence-based arguments that are corroborated with multiple sources or examples? o How can we use precise words to influence or sway an opinion? o How do we establish formal style in writing? o How do we appropriately use and credit the work of others in formal reports? o How do we convert and transfer information presented orally (in a debate) into a sophisticatedly written paper? o Language: o How does the use of the active and passive voice affect or change the interpretation and meaning of ones speech and writing? How can shifts between the active and passive voice affect the meaning of the same sentence? What subtleties of the active and passive voice allow each style/voice to achieve a specific purpose? o How do the different types of verb moods affect the meaning and attitude conveyed in ones speech and writing?

Big Idea/Major Concept/Objectives: o Students will formulate convincing, evidence-based arguments regarding a specific issue. o Students will conduct quality research, using established guidelines for research. o Students will use graphic organizers and effective note-taking strategies to organize and select information obtained through research, and to organize ideas for an argument. o Students will practice formulating strong, well-constructed thesis statements.

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o Students will partake in class debates, presenting strong oral arguments regarding a specific issue. o Students will write and present an impactful opening statement that incorporates the strategies o Students will write a well-organized and evidence-based persuasive essay in class.. o Students will correctly identify and appropriately shift between the active and passive voice. o Students will correctly identify and use different types of verb moods. Content: o Cooperative learning graphic organizer for group discussions on persuasion in society/democracy o Persuasive artifacts and paragraphs o Note-taking graphic organizers o Ordering arguments graphic organizers o Research sessions o Analysis of opening statements (videos, print, etc.) o In-class debates o Questioning and answering o Essay outlines o In-class essays o Analysis of active and passive voice of fictional and nonfictional literature o Analysis of verb moods in different types of writing, including songs. Skills/Strategies/Standards: o Writing:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.1a Introduce claim(s), acknowledge and distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.1b Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.1c Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.1d Establish and maintain a formal style. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.1e Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.

Speaking & Listening:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.8.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others ideas and expressing their own clearly. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.8.1a Come to discussions prepared, having read or researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence on the topic, text, or issue to probe and reflect on ideas under discussion.

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CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.8.1b Follow rules for collegial discussions and decisionmaking, track progress toward specific goals and deadlines, and define individual roles as needed. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.8.1c Pose questions that connect the ideas of several speakers and respond to others questions and comments with relevant evidence, observations, and ideas. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.8.1d Acknowledge new information expressed by others, and, when warranted, qualify or justify their own views in light of the evidence presented.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.8.2 Analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and evaluate the motives (e.g., social, commercial, political) behind its presentation. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.8.3 Delineate a speakers argument and specific claims, evaluating the soundness of the reasoning and relevance and sufficiency of the evidence and identifying when irrelevant evidence is introduced. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.8.4 Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with relevant evidence, sound valid reasoning, and well-chosen details; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.8.5 Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.8.6 Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. (See grade 8 Language standards 1 and 3 here for specific expectations.) L.8.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.1a Explain the function of verbals (gerunds, participles, infinitives) in general and their function in particular sentences. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.1b Form and use verbs in the active and passive voice. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.1c Form and use verbs in the indicative, imperative, interrogative, conditional, and subjunctive mood. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.1d Recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in verb voice and mood.*

Language:

Assessment: o Research notes o In-class debates o Essay outlines o In-class essays Resources: o SmartBoard Lessons/Smart Exchange Lessons

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o o Internet; various research resources Personal electronic devices