3.01 AND 3.2 - Debating the Amendments
This weeks activity will be applying our structure of Speech and Debate into an argument AND even helping with Civics as well. We are going to Debate the Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
If you recall our Constitution allowed us to add and/or subtract from our constitution or rules, through an amendment process. In other words we, the people of the United States of America, through our representatives can change the rules we live by. We have amended the Constitution 27 times. Don't worry we will not review all of the them, only the most important for this assignment. Below are video's about Amendments 1-10. I hope you enjoy the video.
Before you start, here is your assignment
Amendments 1-10 (Known as the Bill of Rights)
Bill of Rights Video - Created to Shake it off by Taylor Swift
Module 3 Page 3
Lesson 3.03 Vocabulary
The importance of your words should be super clear by now. The way and manner in which words are used is essential to creating a meaningful speech.
You have a choice when it comes to expressing your thoughts, your feelings, and your creativity. You can select a simple word that gives a general idea of what you are thinking, or you can find an exact word to paint the perfect picture. The exact word will help your audience really understand your ideas.
Two tools that can help you work such wonders are a thesaurus and a dictionary. Knowing when and how to use both of these resources can help you find the perfect word for any situation. Thesauruses and dictionaries can be accessed via the internet or if you have print copies at home.
When you are looking for a better word than one you have in mind, you'll use the thesaurus to find a synonym for that word.
When you are looking to define a term and better comprehend it, you'll use the dictionary.
Assignment 3.4 - The Root at the Amendments rests in the most important court cases of the past generation. We will explore such cases as:
Brown v. Board of Education
In Re Gault
Miranda vs. Arizona
Gideon v. Wainwright
Tinker v. De Moines IA
In each one of these cases brave individual's challenged the status quo and changed our society. These individuals were maligned and attached along the way to justice, but today our freedoms are inherently connected to their bravery. The following quiz will ensure that you understand the importance of these cases.
Assignment 3.5 - How do we apply the Amendments and an understanding of our rights to current events?
Look out window, read a newspaper, watch you tube and what are the issues that most concern kids about the United States? What do you believe needs to be fixed? I am sure the solutions are not very easy and to fix a problem you will need to be very Brave. For the next several assignments 3.5-3.7 we are going to explore some of these issues with an important goal in mind; how how can knowing your rights under the law, help as a solution to these problems.
There are many topics you can explore, some of them are:
Online Bullying
Racial Justice
Global Warming
Feeding the Hungry
Unemployment
Etc.
NOTE - We will NOT be discussing and/or writing about any current wars.
3.6 - Starting a speech - hooking in your audience
We are going to work on your speech construction and move forward bit by bit based on information your have already received.
Please watch these video's. They are each excellent. The first two more specifically follow the structure of a speech we has discussed. The third speech is just really good and worth watching for your personal knowledge.
Lesson 3.7
How to give a speech:
While we do keep practicing and speaking about speeches today we are going to watch some video's on how to give a speech. While there is no one perfect way to deliver a speech, there are some really good guideposts. These video's will help you prepare for your speeches; both by helping your writing and speaking.
I hope you enjoy them. After watching the speeches please take the quiz.
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Lesson 3.08 Plan Your Speech/Sources- Informative
You have learned that informational writing and speech giving is designed to explain an idea and convey information. You have read and watched informational speeches. You will now prepare to write an informational speech of your own. You may use the topics you have worked on previously.
How do you prepare? You prepare with research and organization.
In this case, you will use a graphic organizer called an Informational Speech Chart to plan it. You will focus on writing a problem/solution informational speech. It will entail:
The problem
The way it affects people
The solution
The chart will help you research problem-and-solution ideas, help you think up questions to focus your research, and help you arrange and keep track of the information you find.
Remember as you research to avoid Wikipedia and only use valid and reliable sources and information.
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Lesson 3.09 Write Your Speech-Informative. This is a continuation of the work you started in assignment 3.8 (topic outline). Please remember to follow the Speech format we have been working on: Hook, Introduction, Thesis, 3 supporting Paragraphs with your citations and your conclusion. You should write your speech in a document of your choice. Most student use word or google doc. Finally this is the same speech you will use for your 3.11 Final Speech Video.
There are many topics you can explore, some of them are:
Online Bullying
Racial Justice
Global Warming
Feeding the Hungry
Unemployment
Etc.
NOTE - We will NOT be discussing and/or writing about any current wars.
This is a continuation of the assignment topic you started in 3.5 and 3.8.
Have you ever heard your teacher start with "Okay, class, today we are looking at 3.09" and then they dove right into the lesson? I bet it made less of an impact than if they had started with a hook. When composing your speech, you want to first capture the attention of your audience with a strong hook. The hook will make them interested and invested in what you have to say.
Remember, you'll use an interesting fact, quotation, or anecdote hook.
Then you'll need your strong thesis. Always ensure that the thesis is one sentence and that it is the LAST sentence in your introduction. It will identify problem, who it affects, and solution in ONE sentence. The thesis shows your audience your main idea, avoid using first person, and can be supported with research.
Examples of a thesis:
Many animals that are considered dangerous to humans actually play roles that benefit mankind. -- This is a strong thesis as it presents an idea/ opinion that can be researched.
The growing number of bed bug infestations present many problems for the human population, but there are proven solutions .-- This is a strong thesis as it presents the problem, who it affects, and solution clearly in one statement avoiding first person.
Non- Examples of a thesis:
The African bush elephant is the largest animal on land. -- This is not a thesis as it merely presents a fact.
I think the platypus is a really cool animal. -- This is not a thesis as it cannot be supported with evidence and does not give any idea on what will follow. It also uses first person.
You may take several times to create a clear and concise thesis, and that is okay! Once that is strong, the rest of your essay will build on it.
The introduction will be composed of hook and thesis. Then the body with evidence comes next.
The body of your speech will have 3 paragraph portions or 3 talking points.
1) Body #1 -Problem and researched evidence
2) Body #2-Who it affects and researched evidence
3) Body #3- Solution and researched evidence
Remember in the body to include transitions. Transitions show how the meaning of one idea is related to the meaning of another.
Think of transitions as bridges in your writing.
Transitions:
connect thoughts within a sentence
connect one sentence to the next
connect ideas between two different paragraphs
They help your writing to flow smoothly from one idea to the next.
3.9 Continued - When writing your speech, remember to use precise language that is related to your topic. You can also use figurative and literal language. It is important to also vary sentences as you want a mix of both simple, short sentences and longer compound sentences.
You'll want to use signal phrases in the body to credit your sources. Signal phrases reveal the origin of ideas that are not your own. Select this link to review the Signaling Phrase Verbs document.
Include at least one direct quote from an article or an expert. Use quotation marks to indicate the exact words you have borrowed. Be sure to use proper punctuation. Select this link to view two examples.
You will need to include your Works Cited within your paragraphs. This is a little confusing since in ELA you learned how to create a seperate page as you write your body. (I am including a section for a works cited page for your knowledge - NOT for this assignment.)
In your speech assignment when you use the information you also need to mention the source, for example, according to an article by Mr. Stillman published on _____, or some other source. Contact me if you are confused.
A "Works Cited" page is a page you add at the end of your informational article. It lists all the sources you used to find your information. Each source is formatted in a specific way depending on its type.
You'll use MLA Format to cite your sources.
MLA is the acronym for the Modern Language Association. This association has created guidelines for citing sources in all scholarly work. These guidelines are part of the MLA Formatting and Style Guide. When you use the MLA citing format, the validity of your work will be clearly understood and appreciated.
Example:
View these "Works Cited" Page formats for various types of resources.
View this example "Works Cited" page to see how your "Works Cited" page will look.
Oftentimes conclusions are the hardest to craft. Don't fall into traps like leaving it off all together, repeating yourself, or introducing new information. It is important to end strong.
There are 4 parts of a strong conclusion:
1) Use a transition
A transition is a great way to lead into your conclusion. There are several phrases that may be used at or near the beginning of your final paragraph. Using a transition will allow you to move smoothly from the body into your conclusion. Some suggested phrases may be found on the Transition Reference Sheet here.
2) Rephrase the ideas in your thesis
Your conclusion should restate your thesis statement in a new way. Do not state it word for word as you did in your introduction. Remind the reader where you started, but expand the idea to show it in a new light.
3) Summarize your main points
Don’t repeat everything you have already said. Instead, show your readers the result of your ideas. You have presented a problem and solutions. Why is all of this important? What does it all mean?
4) Include a clincher
Make a point that will leave a lasting impression. In a Problem and Solution text, it is a good idea to look toward the future and offer a statement of hope: Protecting killer whales will preserve the balance of the sea and allow their joyful songs to echo in the depths for years to come.
3.9 Assignment - submit your first draft
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Lesson 3.10 Peer Review-Informative - For this assignment there are 2 documents you MUST submit. One is the peer review and other is your personal reflection. They are both found in the assignment document.
You have now finished writing the draft of your informational speech.
It is now time to take the ideas and words from good to great to create the final draft.
You can accomplish this through revision.
Revision is a time to “re-see” and refine the words you have written. It is not an extra step. It is the crucial, final step in the writing process.
To revise your informational article, follow three steps. Revisit your writing to improve the following:
Coherence, Syntax, and English Language Conventions.
Coherence means are all thoughts logically connected? Do my ideas flow? Can something be better explained or improved so the ideas are most clear?
Syntax means how words are arranged in a sentence. Vary the syntax in your paragraphs. Too many short sentences in a row will sound choppy. Too many long sentences without correct grammar may confuse your reader. Combine sentences in interesting ways to improve the rhythm of your writing. The rhythm will help when you present your speech out loud.
English Language Conventions refer to spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Check out Revision Help Here
TO repeat from the top of the lesson:
Lesson 3.09 Write Your Speech-Informative. Please remember to follow the Speech format we have been working on: Hook, Introduction, Thesis, 3 supporting Paragraphs with your citations and your conclusion. You should write your speech in a document of your choice. Most student use word or google doc.
Final Exam Project - VIDEO RECORDING :)
We have reached the end or Semester 1 and you are not able and ready to apply all your have learned in a final informative speech presentation.
You will need to complete the following in your informative speech video:
You speech should follow the same format you have been working on.
Your speech can be based on your written speech, which you already started in 3.9. and follow the same format .
You will need to add the comments I made and were made as part of 3.10.
Note - at your discretion you are allowed to choose a different topic if approved
You will need to record your speech being mindful of what we have learned in Unit 3 about how to present your speech.
Send me a link to your speech and a typed copy as well.
If you have any issue recording your speech, we can also meet in the zoom room and your can complete your speech at that time as well. Please call me to schedule a time if you choose this option.
Remember you have already completed/learned about everything you are showing me in this speech. You have already written speeches AND completed a speech for me. You will do great. If you have any questions, please call me.
Finally below is an example of a speech. In this case it is me modeling a speech by doing a speech on your final exam project.
Please look back to assignment 3.1 and click the link for these excellent examples of informational speeches:
Nationals 2019 - Halima Badri "Won't You Be My Neighbor" - Original Oratory