Today, we worked on developing thesis statements and claims for one side of the debate topics people had selected. This work also lead us into identifying what role appeals and rhetorical devices can play in this side of the debate.
People generated thesis statements on their debate topic relative to the side of the debate they chose to start with. Having completed this, they brainstormed ways to use appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) and rhetorical devices (syllogism, anaphora, allusion, enthymeme, etc.). While people were working on this, I checked in on the power of their thesis.
The class then moved into two groups and shared out the ways they planned to use appeals and rhetorical devices with their group. Group members were then able to offer critique and additional suggestions.
Following this, people began creating topic statements using a similar process to the thesis statement creation.
Handouts:
Planning your Debate
(thesis, claims, appeals, rhetorical devices)
Homework:
Finish writing powerful claims to support your thesis statement.
If you do not yet have 20 notecards on your debate topic, continue to work with your research sources until you do.
