Unit 2 Writing Task
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Unit Home | Writing Task | Anchor Texts | Small Group Texts | Independent Texts
Performance Task: Writing Focus - Informative
💡 This is the task students will complete after the Whole Class Learning structure. This should be an extended writing task, with the teacher modeling the writing process along the way.
💡 For a great resource with more primary documents to help students develop an answer to this question, consider this lesson from Learning for Justice: Birmingham 1963: Primary Documents.
The texts in this section focus on the struggle for Civil Rights in the United States. In his "I Have a Dream" speech, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speaks of the long struggle of the movement and the need to preserve it. In his "Letter from Birmingham Jail," he writes to the white moderate religious leaders who would have him move more slowly to end segregation. Now, you will use your knowledge of the topic to write an informative text about the topic.
Think about how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. chose to address the question of civil rights in the United States and how his listeners would have responded at the time. Conduct research to write an informative essay on this question:
How did Dr. King's speech affect those who heard it? How did his letter affect those who read it?
Focus Your Research: Now that you have read the selections and thought about how words can inspire change, use the research questions to focus your research. Plan to use a variety of sources. Consider:
primary sources, which are firsthand or original accounts, such as newspaper articles
secondary sources, such as encyclopedia entries
digital sources, or material accessed on the internet
print sources, such as books or journal articles, which may be editied more carefully than digital material
original research, such as eyewitness interviews or survey results
Possible Sentence Starters
Introduction: When it comes to the topic of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. most of us would agree that this life has a significant impact ofn society. Where this discussion may end is on the question of how his words affected people at the time: those who heard his "I Have a Dream" speech and those who read his "Letter from Birmingham Jail." (Insert thesis)
Body Paragraph #1: In his "I Have a Dream" speech, King... People who heard this would...
Body Paragraph #2: In his "Letter from Birmingham Jail, King... People who read this would...
Conclusion: As a result of the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr...
The effect of Dr. King's speech and letter on society can be seen through…
The question of civil rights in the United States was addressed by Dr. King through his powerful speeches and writings in order to…
Exemplary Response:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech and "Letter from Birmingham Jail" had a profound impact on those who heard and read his words. The speech, delivered during the March on Washington in 1963, called for racial equality and an end to discrimination. It inspired hope and unity among African Americans and touched the hearts of many Americans across the nation. Dr. King's passionate words resonated with his audience, conveying a powerful message of love, justice, and equality.
The "Letter from Birmingham Jail," written in 1963 as a response to criticisms from white religious leaders, was a persuasive and thought-provoking document. In the letter, Dr. King eloquently defended the civil rights movement and explained the urgency of the struggle against segregation. His use of logical arguments, historical references, and appeals to morality made a compelling case against the injustices of racial discrimination.
Dr. King's speech and letter had a significant impact on the people who heard and read them. They galvanized support for the civil rights movement, mobilizing individuals to take action and fight for equality. His words sparked empathy, understanding, and a collective desire for change. Dr. King's speeches and writings continue to be studied and celebrated for their powerful message of peace, justice, and equality.
Non-Exemplary Response:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. talked about civil rights and stuff. He gave a speech called "I Have a Dream" and wrote a letter from jail. Some people heard the speech and others read the letter. It probably made them think or something. I don't know. Anyway, to write an essay, I guess you could use books or the internet to find information about what happened. Newspapers might be good too. Just write whatever you find and make sure to use big words to sound smart. Oh, and don't forget to use correct punctuation and stuff.
🔍9-10.W.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey related ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content, and provide a conclusion that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented.
a. Introduce a topic; organize related ideas and information to make important connections and distinctions; utilize formatting, graphics, and multimedia to show relationships.
b. Develop the topic with relevant facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, and examples.
c. Use appropriate and varied transitions to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships among related ideas.
d. Use precise language and content-specific vocabulary to clarify the relationships of the ideas.
e. Use appropriate conventions and style for the audience, purpose, and task.
🔍9-10.W.4 Conduct more sustained research projects to craft an argument, answer a question, or provide an analysis.
a. Gather, assess, and synthesize information from credible sources on the topic.
b. Reflect on the evidence and generate ideas to demonstrate understanding of the topic and purpose.
c. Avoid plagiarism by quoting, paraphrasing, and citing, using a standard format for citation of evidence.
d. Interact and collaborate with others throughout the writing process.
Academic Vocabulary
disrupt
coherent
notation
aggregate
express
💡It is essential to have students use these words throughout the unit, particularly in their performance tasks/assessments.
Skill Vocabulary
thesis statement
facts
evidence
reliable, credible sources
clear organization
analysis
smooth transitions
formal style
objective tone
primary sources
secondary sources
digital sources
print sources
original research
direct quotations
ellipses
paraphrase
summary
source material