Sample Lesson Plan
Rhetoric: Pick a Side
Assignment: In first unit of English 103 (Writing about Writing; Writing about Borders; Writing for Health Sciences)
Time: About 45 minutes
Goals: Peer collaboration, forming argument, oral presentation
Introduce to their small groups of three of four students(these groups are the set groups for the rest of the semester). Give them the assignment:
"Find a controversial subject, whether it be current events, political stances, or polarizing opinions. Choose a side as a group and explain why. You will be presenting your side and why you picked your stance to the class."
Give students 15 to 20 minutes to create their presentation. Use examples that past students have chosen, ranging from vaccinations to if hotdogs are considered sandwiches. Follow along with students, either listening in class, or watching over Google Docs collaboration page and jumping between Breakout Rooms.
Give each group about 5 minutes to present to the class. Emphasize that there will be time for questions after the presentation. As the rest of the class engages, help with guiding questions:
1) How did you choose your side? Were there conflicting viewpoints? How did that affect the decision?
2) Ask them about the opposing side. If they did not have conflicting evidence, why? If they did, how was that opposing view dealt with?
3) What were their arguments? If necessary, lead the group to the logical conclusion of their argument and see if that matches with what their goal is.
4) Ask them about audience. Did they gear the conversation toward the professor or the class?
After everyone presents, introduce the Open Letter assignment.
Time: About 45 minutes
Goals: Peer collaboration, forming argument, oral presentation
Introduce to their small groups of three of four students(these groups are the set groups for the rest of the semester). Give them the assignment:
"Find a controversial subject, whether it be current events, political stances, or polarizing opinions. Choose a side as a group and explain why. You will be presenting your side and why you picked your stance to the class."
Give students 15 to 20 minutes to create their presentation. Use examples that past students have chosen, ranging from vaccinations to if hotdogs are considered sandwiches. Follow along with students, either listening in class, or watching over Google Docs collaboration page and jumping between Breakout Rooms.
Give each group about 5 minutes to present to the class. Emphasize that there will be time for questions after the presentation. As the rest of the class engages, help with guiding questions:
1) How did you choose your side? Were there conflicting viewpoints? How did that affect the decision?
2) Ask them about the opposing side. If they did not have conflicting evidence, why? If they did, how was that opposing view dealt with?
3) What were their arguments? If necessary, lead the group to the logical conclusion of their argument and see if that matches with what their goal is.
4) Ask them about audience. Did they gear the conversation toward the professor or the class?
After everyone presents, introduce the Open Letter assignment.