Browse lesson plans

Cause and effect writing: What it looks like and who reads it

Students examine the causes and effects presented in a brochure called “Ozone: The Good and the Bad.” They also examine the language of the brochure with regard to audience appropriateness. Students then write their own brochures examine their classmates' brochures for cause and effect and for audience appropriateness.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–10 English Language Arts)

By Michelle Roberts.

Focus activity using RAFT

Better writing requires consideration of RAFT: role, audience, format, and topic.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–10 English Language Arts)

By Kathleen Bost and Leigh Ann Webb.

Is Mr. Wolf really a bad guy?

This lesson is intended to show children the importance of evaluating information as they read. The author's point of view is limited in that it only truly shows one side of the story. There is always another perspective. How the author views a subject colors everything that he or she writes about.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)

Jonathan Edwards and the art of persuasion

In this lesson, students will study the elements of persuasive writing in Jonathan Edward's “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” according to the following criteria: speaker, audience, occasion, and means of persuasion, and then analyze a contemporary piece of writing, such as an advertisement, for similar elements.

Format: lesson plan (grade 11–12 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

By Dave Guiley.

Maya Angelou: Study and response to "Still I Rise"

Students read biographical information on Maya Angelou and her poem, "Still I Rise." Students identify support and elaboration in poem, then respond by either writing a letter to the author or his/her own poem in response.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7–8 English Language Arts)

By Barbara Groome and Jo Peterson Gibbs.

Two perspectives on slavery: A comparison of personal narratives

In this lesson, students will evaluate and critique authors' perspectives. Students will read two first-person narratives and analyze how each text is influenced by its author's cultural background.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

By Dayna Durbin Gleaves.

Understanding audience

This activity is designed to help students identify their audience and determine appropriate language use based on the audience.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–10 English Language Arts)

By Bonnie Mcmurray and Julie Joslin.

Resources on the web

Developing a definition of reading through analysis in middle school

In this lesson from ReadWriteThink, students will interact with a variety of different texts to uncover a broader meaning of reading. Given one of a variety of different texts, students will brainstorm alone and together what they will need as a reader... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Exploring audience and purpose with a single issue

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... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–11 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Naming in a digital world: Creating a safe persona on the internet

This ReadWriteThink lesson explores the issues involved in building digital personas through e-mail addresses, screen names, and online profiles. Students analyze the underlying connotations of names in digital and non-digital settings and synthesize their... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Computer/Technology Skills and English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

What's the difference? Beginning writers compare e-mail with letter writing

In this lesson from ReadWriteThink, students explore the differences between e-mail and letter writing by contrasting and identifying different forms, and experimenting with their own e-mail and letter compositions. This lesson incorporates an “E-Mail... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 1–2 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink