Appendix: Unit Layout and Sample of Specific Lesson Plans
To better understand the unit, one must distinguish the four stages the unit will be divided into so that a broad outline is provided:
- Stage One: The foundations of persuasion will be introduced focusing on ethos, pathos, and logos as well as logical fallacies. It is at this stage that the students will learn the history and examine academically persuasive writing techniques.
- Stage Two: The students will be required to apply that knowledge to the world around them and provide evidence ranging from advertisements to other public outlets of persuasion to include speeches, tweets, etc. Once they have collected evidence, they will be required to compile and present.
- Stage Three: We will look at marketing and branding in the changing world of social media where students will have the opportunity to critically self-reflect on their own relationship with social media and begin to identify how conscious they are of their audience and their own 'brand'. Additionally, we will analyze examples of social branding that worked and ones that did not, and use those as discussion points that should be colored with knowledge going back to stage one. (see sample lesson plan below)
- Stage Four: The cumulative tasks will begin, and students will begin to discern what their focus of interest, message, and overall brand will be, as well as what platform they will use and how they will tangibly showcase what persuasive techniques are employed. This will be done in stages, and we will work on these tasks collectively, in pairs, and individually through a series of guided mini activities. Additionally, a reflective academic essay will be required.
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