LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Exploring audience and purpose with a single issue

http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=948

A lesson plan for Grade 9 English III

Provider: IRA/NCTE

About this resource

Appropriate grades
9
Subjects
social studies (United States history), thinking skills (information literacy)
Provider
IRA/NCTE

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Students evaluate audience and purpose in writing by exploring the debate between evolution and creationism raised during the Scopes Monkey Trial. Readwritethink provides links to information about the Scopes Monkey Trial, a handout explaining purpose and audience, and an audience analysis interview. After students have shared what they know about the famous trial, they explore additional information using web resources, documentaries, and newspaper articles. When students are familiar with purpose and audience, the teacher demonstrates how to evaluate the find both in a newspaper article. Once they have read several documents related to the trial, students brainstorm a list of positions someone might take about the trial. Then, representing the perspective of one of the groups identified in the brainstorming activity, students work in groups to answer questions on the purpose and audience handout. When groups have completed the questions, they share their ideas with the rest of the class, listening for similarities and differences among the strategies that the groups would use to present their information to a specific audience. After group presentations, the class discusses how they will be able to use the information to influence their writing for specific audiences and for particular purposes. This lesson suggests several extension activities and offers opportunities for student reflection.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 11 — English III

  • Goal 2: The learner will inform an audience by using a variety of media to research and explain insights into language and culture.
    • Objective 2.01: Research ideas, events, and/or movements related to United States culture by:
      - locating facts and details for purposeful elaboration.
      - organizing information to create a structure for purpose, audience, and context.
      - excluding extraneous information.
      -providing accurate documentation.
    • Objective 2.02: Examine and explain how culture influences language through projects such as:
      - showing the evolution of forms of communication in the United States (e.g., the Pony Express, telegraph, telephone, fax, e-mail).
      - tracing the development of technology in a particular area such as audio or video recordings, radio, television, and film.
      - demonstrating proficiency in accessing and sending information electronically, using conventions appropriate to the audience.
    • Objective 2.03: Respond to informational texts by:
      - using a variety of strategies for preparation, engagement, and reflection.
      - paraphrasing main ideas and supporting details present in texts.
      -explaining significant connections among the speaker's/author's purpose, tone, biases, and the message for the intended audience.
  • Goal 3: The learner will demonstrate increasing sophistication in defining issues and using argument effectively.
    • Objective 3.01: Use language persuasively in addressing a particular issue by:
      - finding and interpreting information effectively.
      - recognizing propaganda as a purposeful technique.
      - establishing and defending a point of view.
      -responding respectfully to viewpoints and biases.
    • Objective 3.02: Select an issue or theme and take a stance on that issue by:
      - reflecting the viewpoint(s) of Americans of different times and places.
      - showing sensitivity or empathy for the culture represented.
      - supporting the argument with specific reasons.
  • Goal 4: The learner will critically analyze text to gain meaning, develop thematic connections, and synthesize ideas.
    • Objective 4.01: Interpret meaning for an audience by:
      - examining the functions and the effects of narrative strategies such as plot, conflict, suspense, point of view, characterization, and dialogue.
      - interpreting the effect of figures of speech (e.g., personification, oxymoron) and the effect of devices of sound (e.g., alliteration, onomatopoeia).
      - analyzing stylistic features such as word choice and links between sense and sound.
      - identifying ambiguity, contradiction, irony, parody, and satire.
      - demonstrating how literary works reflect the culture that shaped them.
    • Objective 4.03: Assess the power, validity, and truthfulness in the logic of arguments given in public and political documents by:
      - identifying the intent and message of the author or artist.
      - recognizing how the author addresses opposing viewpoints.
      - articulating a personal response to the message and method of the author or artist.
      -evaluating the historical significance of the work.