LEARN NC

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

English I

Goal 3: The learner will examine argumentation and develop informed opinions.

Objective 3.01. Study argument by:

  • examining relevant reasons and evidence.
  • noting the progression of ideas that substantiate the proposal.
  • analyzing style, tone, and use of language for a particular effect.
  • identifying and analyzing personal, social, historical, or cultural influences contexts, or biases.
  • identifying and analyzing rhetorical strategies that support proposals.

Additional related resources

We’re in the process of aligning our content for students to the Standard Course of Study. As we do, you’ll find it here.

General resources

Aligned lesson plans

Pilgrimage: Mission
The students view symbols and traditions of world religions in artwork as a source for discussion of the effect of “mission” in world history. This discussion also parallels texts usually taught in English II.
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–10 English Language Arts and Social Studies)
By Betty Eidenier.

Resources on the web

The pros and cons of discussion
In this lesson, students have the opportunity to discuss the degree to which everyone is treated equally in society. Students study the concepts of satire and utopia while reading Kurt Vonnegut's “Harrison Bergeron”. This lesson offers a variety... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Propaganda techniques in literature and online political ads
Students improve visual literacy and analysis skills in this lesson designed to introduce techniques of propaganda found in literature and multi-media in popular culture. After developing an understanding of the methods authors and advertisers use to produce... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts and Information Skills)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Identifying and understanding the fallacies used in advertising
In this lesson, students learn to analyze fallacious images and messages in advertisements and present their understanding of the fallacies through a multimedia presentation format. In order to acquaint students with the strategies of advertising campaigns,... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts and Information Skills)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Cultural change
Political developments leave a clear trace in the life of a nation, usually marked by legislative mileposts like the Fourteenth Amendment, which dictates equal protection for all, and the Nineteenth Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. But such... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9 and 11 English Language Arts and Social Studies)
Provided by: EDSITEment
Censorship in the classroom: Understanding controversial issues
It is important for young people to understand their individual rights and what they, as citizens, can do to protect these rights. In addition, young people need to understand the way in which bias and stereotyping are used by the media to influence popular... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts and Information Skills)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Argument, persuasion, or propaganda? Analyzing World War II posters
In this lesson plan, students analyze World War II posters, chosen from online collections, to explore how argument, persuasion, and propaganda differ. Using the famous “I WANT YOU FOR U.S. ARMY” recruiting poster as an example, students use... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9 and 11 English Language Arts)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Analyzing the purpose and meaning of political cartoons
Students learn to evaluate political cartoons for their messages in this lesson. The teacher introduces the activity by exposing students to a political cartoon that presents a puzzling or contradictory perspective that will stimulate critical inquiry.... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9 English Language Arts)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Ad dissection 101
According to David Shenk, author of Data Smog, today's children watch an average of 22,000 hours of television before graduating from high school. These hours of television contain over a quarter of a million commercials, and it is these commercials that... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts and Information Skills)
Provided by: IDEAS and Ryan Anderson