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Introduction to Persuasive Writing

Unit Plan

Introduction to Persuasive Writing

Objectives

In this unit, an introduction to persuasive writing, students will:

  • define and identify elements of persuasive writing and logical fallacies.
  • organize for effectiveness based on purpose and audience.
  • acknowledge audience and refute opposing viewpoints.

Essential Questions

  • How do we develop into effective writers?
  • To what extent does the writing process contribute to the quality of writing?

Related Unit and Lesson Plans

Related Materials & Resources

The possible inclusion of commercial websites below is not an implied endorsement of their products, which are not free, and are not required for this lesson plan.

The possible inclusion of commercial websites below is not an implied endorsement of their products, which are not free, and are not required for this unit.

  • “Using Rhetorical Strategies for Persuasion.” The Purdue Online Writing Lab. August 2010.

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/588/04/

Formative Assessment

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    Performance Assessment:

    Direct students to polish the persuasive essay begun in Lesson 3 of this unit. Students will use all previous prewriting and draft documents about their topic to write a 500-700 word (or 2-page minimum) final draft of a persuasive essay.

    Performance Assessment Scoring Rubric:

    Use the Performance Assessment Scoring Rubric below or the PSSA Writing Scoring Guidelines (L-C-5_PSSA Writing Scoring Guidelines.pdf) to score the essays.

    Points

    Description

    5

    Student’s persuasive writing assignment meets all the following requirements:

    • clearly states position.
    • contains convincing and properly cited evidence.
    • anticipates and counters opponents’ potential arguments (point-by-point).
    • clearly uses either inductive or deductive reasoning.
    • consistently applies appropriate diction and tone throughout essay.
    • adheres to acceptable mechanical and editing procedures.

    4

    Student’s persuasive writing assignment:

    • clearly states position.
    • contains much convincing and properly cited evidence.
    • anticipates and counters many of opponents’ potential arguments (point-by-point).
    • uses a reasoning process (inductive or deductive) that is mostly clear.
    • applies mostly appropriate diction and tone throughout essay.
    • mostly adheres to acceptable mechanical and editing procedures.

    3

    Student’s persuasive writing assignment:

    • states position in a somewhat vague fashion.
    • contains some convincing and properly cited evidence.
    • anticipates and counters some of opponents’ potential arguments (point-by-point).
    • uses a fairly clear reasoning process.
    • applies diction and tone unevenly throughout essay.
    • adheres to some acceptable mechanical and editing procedures.

    2

    Student’s persuasive writing assignment:

    • states position in a vague fashion.
    • contains little convincing and properly cited evidence.
    • anticipates and counters few of opponents’ potential arguments (point-by-point).
    • shows little evidence of reasoning process.
    • shows little proper diction or understanding of tone throughout essay.
    • adheres to few acceptable mechanical and editing procedures.

    1

    Student’s persuasive writing assignment:

    does not state position clearly

    • contains little or no convincing or properly cited evidence.
    • anticipates or counters few or none of opponents’ potential arguments.
    • shows little or no evidence of reasoning process.
    • shows little or no proper diction or understanding of tone throughout essay.
    • adheres to few or no acceptable mechanical and editing procedures.

    0

    Student’s persuasive writing assignment is insufficient to score or meets none of the requirements.

     

DRAFT 03/20/2012
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