Lesson Topic: Writing Persuasive Essays Grade level: 7th

Length of lesson: 20 minutes

Stage 1 – Desired Results

Content Standard(s):
Construct and produce a clear
argument, to persuade your audience
Develop arguments supported with
reasoning and evidence gathered
from two or more sources
Begin to acknowledge opposing
viewpoints in writing
Routinely plan, draft, revise and edit
writing tasks

Understanding (s)/goals Essential Question(s):

Students will understand:
How to chose a position
Understand their audience
Outline their essay
Revise and Edit their essay
How to keep the reader’s attention
Why is your argument correct or valid?
What is the argument you are trying to get
across?
Does the essay open with a “hook” that
keeps the readers interested?
Is the opposing point of view presented?

Student objectives (outcomes):

Students will be able to:

Understand the awareness of the reader’s

bias, and a solid understanding of both
sides of the argument.
Understand how one’s opinion is neither
right or wrong.

Stage 2 – Assessment Evidence

Performance Task(s): Other Evidence:

Clearly present an argument that is valid
and school appropriate
Explore other arguments that will be
different than theirs, while editing partner’s
paper
Apply their knowledge from writing a
persuasive essay to everyday life
Read other students papers, and learn their
argument topic, and their opinion

Stage 3 – Learning Plan

Learning Activities:

Pre-Assessment: Start by having a debate

in the classroom on a simple subject by
introducing persuasive arguments. One side
that agrees is on one side, and the side that
disagrees is on the other.

Procedure: Have the students pick a topic

or subject that interests them
Come up with an argument, that will
eventually become their thesis
Personal knowledge on the topic
Start the research on their topic
Take notes and outline their essay
Start rough draft
Revise and edit with parter
Make their own revisions
Final draft with clear argument and sources
cited

Materials: Pencil
Paper for multiple drafts
Computer for research
Pen for editing

Extensions & Enrichment: When the

students are finishing their revising and
editing with their partner, have them ask
themselves, “Would I present this argument
to someone down the street? Does my
argument contain evidence and facts, or is
it solely opinionated?” The students may
think it is a good argument on paper, but if
they do not have enough information on the
subject, or their argument is not strong
enough, ahem them tweak it, so they have
a strong essay in the end.

Differentiated Instruction: Write my

own persuasive essay, to show them an
example of different writing styles, and how
to present their argument

Accommodations: For a child who

struggles writing essays, have a
conversation with them about their topic.
Some students are excellent in arguing
person, than making their point across on
paper. Ask them all of the questions out
loud that should be answered in their
paper, so they can say the first thing that
pops into their head.
Technology: The debate would be the
entire class moving around the classroom
and talking to one another, and the rest of
the lesson would be a powerpoint
presentation.

Sources: Arizona State Standards and

notes from Eng 101 for a persuasive essay