Discover the Connection
Since ancient times, great rhetoricians have used the power of argument to persuade the public and enact meaningful change. Although much is different today, the power and pervasiveness of rhetoric remains. Now more than ever, students need access to the tools that will help them discover the connection between an author’s motives and their methods. That’s why we’re happy to share our free lesson plan on argument – connecting reading to writing with you today. Click here to get started, or read more about it below.
About the Lesson Plan
In this lesson plan, students will learn to understand an author’s effective use of rhetorical strategies. These include appeals to emotion (pathos), logic (logos) and credibility and goodwill (ethos). Students will also identify an author’s chosen purpose and audience and how to avoid logical fallacies.
To study these rhetorical strategies, students will use Read Ahead AI to perform a textual analysis of Emma Watson’s Speech to the United Nations, “HeForShe: Gender Equality is Your Issue, too.” In small groups, students should read through the essay and focus on one rhetorical strategy. Once complete, students should discuss the essay, paying close attention to their group’s area of concentration. Then, students will mark emphasis words and sentences in Read Ahead AI that provide evidence for their concept. The pathos group should identify where the speaker calls on emotion, the logos group will do the same for logic, and so on.
Once complete, groups will select one member to present their findings. This student should explain the group’s thought process on why they selected the words and ideas they did. Groups should also explain how these word choices are good examples of the rhetorical strategy or concept studied.
By identifying rhetorical strategies in their group and listening to other groups, students will strengthen their understanding of these strategies. Also included in the lesson plan are extensions and adaptations to help students with their understanding of logical fallacies.
How to Use
The prepare for this lesson, ensure at least one student per group has access to a device and is signed into Read Ahead AI, as they will create a group presentation. Students may also benefit from a review of the rhetorical appeals of ethos, logos and pathos and logical fallacies.
Teachers can find other content-area selections online and load them into Read Ahead AI for this lesson, or use a pre-skimmed reading from the Read Ahead AI free library.
Download the Read Ahead AI Lesson Plan and let us know how you’re using Read Ahead AI to boost student literacy!