Opinion Essay (Persusasion) Unit Plan - 5th grade
Standard: LA.5.W.2A- Write opinion texts that: a. introduce a topic or text being studied, using an introductory paragraph that clearly supports the writer’s purpose; b. state an opinion or establish a position and provide relevant reasons for the opinion supported by multiple facts and details; c. use specific and accurate words that are related to the topic, audience, and purpose; d. contain information using student’s original language except when using direct quotation from a source; e. reference the name of the author(s) or name of the source used for details or facts included in the text; f. use transitions to connect opinion and reason; g. organizes the supporting details/reasons into introductory, supporting, and concluding paragraphs
Learning Targets:
-Students will understand the difference between ethos, pathos, and logos.
-Students will explore commercials with appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos.
-Students will connect opinions to reason.
-Students will organize their details and reasons into paragraphs.
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1. What is persuasion?
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2. Ethos, Pathos, and Logos – what are they?
(anchor chart)
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3. Magazine Ads – explore ads to see what it appeals to?
Give students ads from various magazines, rotate them around and discuss in small groups. |
4. What are demographics?
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5. Commercial dig – watch commercials in groups and discuss. (worksheet – formative assessment) Other options: |
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6. Commercial dig – review responses as a class |
7. What is opinion writing?
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8. Why is it the best thing? (Worksheet - List favorite things and reasons why then write paragraphs over one thing. Include ethos, pathos, and logos) - Formative assessment |
9. Why is it the best thing? Read paragraphs and persuade class that it’s the best. Have students vote on who was most convincing. |
10. Discuss how to choose topics to write about video for support in starting discussions Website with direct instruction video
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11. Begin brainstorming – 3 questions to think about Can I explain what I would change as a clear opinion? Can I support the opinion with three reasons? Do I feel strongly about this? -Questions from website video |
12. Brainstorm 2-3 topics with 3-5 reasons to support opinion |
13. Begin drafting essay - introduction
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14. Continue drafting – body with 3-5 reasons supporting opinion |
15. Continue drafting |
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16. Continue drafting - conclusion |
17. Finish drafting – be prepared to revise/edit |
18. Revising with partners |
19. Finish revising and begin editing with partners |
20. Finish editing (share with teacher) – Begin publishing essay |
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21. Publish essays |
22. Publish essays Summative is completed essay |
23. Celebration Day – Share writing with classmates |
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2. Anchor chart examples - 
This was a unit we needed to redo for our grade and it needed more than 10 days. It is far enough into the year that students have had practice drafting, revising, and editing with partners already.