Issues in American Society

Introduction

Today, you will be doing some research into current societal issues happening in America.

Task

Today's Daily Objectives are:

I will compare and contrast points-of-view in arguments presented on related issues.
I will analyze the qualities of an effective argument (i.e. examine the truthfulness and validity of the argument, as well as its rhetorical devices).

Agenda:

Pop Quiz
Warm-up journal entry
Research topics
Select a topic
Find arguments for two different sides of your topic
Create a t-chart to showcase the main points of either side
Create a bibliography to cite your sources of information
Exit ticket

**Write down the Daily Objectives in your notebook or type them into a Word Document/GoogleDoc.

Process

Write down all information on a separate sheet of paper OR type your information into a Word Document/GoogleDoc.

Pop Quiz: (5 minutes)

Follow this link to take a pop quiz on Equiano's Travels. http://goo.gl/zTTkP1

Warm-up Journal Entry: (5 minutes)

Think about something you are passionate about, that others may not agree with you on. Write about what it is and why you feel so strongly about it. Why might someone disagree with you? How would you convince them to change their minds?

Research Topics: (15 minutes)

Look up current issues that are being debated in American society. A good place to start, if you have no ideas yet, would be to look at the issues that our potential cadidates for the next President of the United States are debating.

Links:

Select a Topic: (1 minute)

Once you have perused the web for about 10-15 minutes, select one topic to focus on. Write this topic down.

Find arguments for two different sides of your topic: (30 minutes)

Once you have selected your topic of focus, decide what the two major opposing points-of-view on that topic are. Write these down. Continue to search the links above and the web in general for the main arguments of these two opposing points-of-view on the topic. Take detailed notes in the form of a t-chart, with one side of the chart focusing on each side of the issue. Be sure to take note of where you are getting your information from. You will create a bibliography to cite your sources of information.

T-chart pdf:

https://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/pdf/tchart_eng.pdf

Create a bibliography to cite your sources of information: (20 minutes)

In proper MLA style, create a Works Cited page to cite any and all sources of information for what you write in your t-chart.

Purdue OWL:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/05/

Evaluation

Evaluate what you have learned today: (10 minutes)

Write a statement, explaining which side you feel has the better argument and why.

Look back at the lesson objectives:

I will compare and contrast points-of-view in arguments presented on related issues.
I will analyze the qualities of an effective argument (i.e. examine the truthfulness and validity of the argument, as well as its rhetorical devices).

Have you achieved these objectives? Why or why not?

Rate yourself, using the self-assessment rubric on the wall at the front of the room.

1 = I don't understand.

2 = I am testing the waters.

3 = I can do this myself.

4 = I can teach others.

Conclusion

Be sure to write down your homework assignment:

Review the Unit Two Essay instructions and prompt choices. Choose a prompt and begin to prewrite for your essay. These are located in the document that was uploaded to Edsby last week.

Turn in your work from today!

Turn your notes page (handwritten) to the correct bin in the classroom OR send your Word Document/GoogleDoc to Ms. Youngster in an Edsby MESSAGE. Do not post to the class Edsby page.