Argumentative Writing / Social Justice Issues

In unit 3, we go over different social justice issues and learn how to create and analyze arguments. The students start the unit by learning about stereotypes and social justice issues. We watch the film Hairspray and discuss the social issues found in the film. The students then read the book Monster by Walter Dean Myers. When reading the book, we discuss social justice issues and the different elements of an argument.

Once we finish the book, students then have a project associated with it. After the completion of the book and project, students then go into how to create an argument and claim. We then continue the discussion of evidence and citations. The students then go into persuasion and how to identify it and create it. We go over ethos, pathos, logos and the different propaganda techniques.

Once the students have gone over parts of arguments and persuasion, they then complete a group argumentative project. The students have a choice of what topic to choose. They then complete research and present to the class.