Digital Unit Plan Template

Unit Title: The Three Rhetoteers! United We Stand, Divided We Fall Name: Ali Elmi
Content Area: English Language Arts Grade Level: 11
CA Content Standard(s)/Common Core Standard(s):
(11th Grade) RI 6: Determine an
authors point of view or purpose in a text in which the rhetoric is particularly effective, analyzing how style and
content contribute to the power, persuasiveness, or beauty of the text.

(11th Grade) SL 3: Evaluate

a speakers point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, assessing the stance, premises, links among ideas,
word choice, points of emphasis, and tone used.
Big Ideas/Unit Goals:
What power do words hold?
How can the power of words be used for positive or negative outcomes?
Unit Summary:
During this unit, students will be able to analyze the rhetoric of two different speeches I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King and The Ballot or
the Bullet by Malcolm X in order to develop an understanding for the power of words. Students will be able to online research background on the
Civil Rights Movement and Malcolm X in order to gain historical knowledge on what they will read. Students will also be able to digitally collaborate
with one another through discussion platforms and other communication applications. Ultimately, students will be able to analyze the rhetoric behind
two famous speeches and provide evidence for which speech is more persuasive for our society today.
Assessment Plan:
Entry-Level: Formative: Summative:

Graphic Organizer 1: Students will take notes on the three Graphic Organizer 2:
rhetorical devices. Students will analyze Martin Luther King speech for
rhetorical devices.
Class Discussion:
Students will demonstrate understanding of three rhetorical Reading Annotations:
devices based on discussion questions. Students will analyze Malcolm X speech for rhetorical
devices through the use of comments on a Google Doc.
Short Answer:
Students will answer analysis questions for political ads on Group Discussion:
Socrative. Students will debrief the reading by finding evidence from
the reading and then recording it on a Google Form.
Online Discussion Board:
Students will join discussion board and post on the
following question: Which speech is more persuasive
given the social and political climate of America today?
Students must cite relevant evidence using the speeches.
Responses will be evaluated using a rubric.
Exit Slip:
Students will answer essential questions on Exit Slip.

Online Graphic Organizer:

Students will compare and contrast two speeches based on
audience, perspective, and rhetorical devices.
Lesson 1 (Teacher Lecture)
Student Learning Objective:
Students will be able to
identify examples of ethos,
logos, and pathos in a
Martin Luther King speech
and explain effectiveness of
those devices given the
intended audience.
Lesson 2 (Webercise/ iPad Lesson)
Student Learning Objective:
Students will be able to read
an excerpt of The Ballot or
the Bullet and analyze
ethos, logos, and pathos
devices in the speech.
Lesson 3 (Graphic Organizer)
Student Learning Objective:
Students will be able to
contribute to a discussion
board debating the level of
persuasiveness of the two
given speeches by providing
relevant evidence.
Acceptable Evidence Lesson Activities:
(Assessments): 1. Teacher will give brief overview/introduction to rhetorical devicesethos, logos, pathos.
Graphic organizer with 2. Students will watch a quick review video on the devices.
identified rhetorical 3. Students will pick 1 out of 5 political ad videos and identify ethos, logos, and pathos in the
devices in MLK speech. video.
4. Teacher will pass out an excerpt from I Have a Dream and students will read individually,
in pairs, and in a group in order to identify and discuss use of ethos, logos, and pathos.
5. Students will complete graphic organizer in order to demonstrate understanding of rhetorical
devices.
Acceptable Evidence: Lesson Activities:
Google Doc with 1. Teacher will review rhetorical devices discussed during the previous day and connect it to
annotations from Malcolm X.
students. 2. Students will learn background information about Malcolm X and Civil Rights Movement
Google Doc with using Webquest websites. Students will answer questions and compare answers with partners
answers from debrief to ensure accuracy.
discussion. 3. Students will read excerpt from The Ballot or the Bullet from a Google Doc that the
teacher will share with small groups. As students read, they will annotate on the use of
rhetorical devices using the comments button.
4. Students will discuss debrief questions on The Ballot or the Bullet in small groups and
record answers on a Google Doc to share with teacher.
Acceptable Evidence: Lesson Activities:
Popplet Graphic 1. Teacher will review readings from both days
Organizer comparing 2. Teacher will give directions and model how to create Popplet comparing the two speeches
the two speeches for audience, purpose, and rhetorical devices. Students will work in pairs and create the
Discussion board Popplet.
postings and responses 3. Teacher will ask students to join discussion board on the two speeches.
Exit slip on Essential 4. Teacher will go over proper netiquette and appropriate ways to agree and disagree on a
Questions. forum.
5. Students will join discussion board and post on the following question: Which speech is
more persuasive given the social and political climate of America today? Why? Students
must cite relevant evidence using the speeches.
6. Students will respond to one person they agree with and one person they disagree with.
Teacher will note participation and grade thoughtfulness of responses according to a rubric.
7. Students can respond to more than one person for extra credit.
8. Teacher leads students in a debrief of the process and learning.
9. Students answer exit slip on Essential Questions (Big Ideas).
Unit Resources:
https://pathosethoslogos.com
http://www.storyboardthat.com/articles/e/ethos-pathos-logos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gf81d0YS58E
http://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2013/12/01/247346858/5-most-memorable-political-ads-of-2013
http://malcolmx.com/biography/
https://www.biography.com/people/malcolm-x-9396195
https://www.biography.com/people/martin-luther-king-jr-9365086?_escaped_fragment_=
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kby04yWnqmM
http://www.storyboardthat.com/articles/e/ethos-pathos-logos

Useful Websites:
http://www.edchange.org/multicultural/speeches/malcolm_x_ballot.html
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm
drive.google.com
popplet.com
http://www.mywejit.com