Analyzing and producing persuasive texts

This 7th and 8th grade unit, "Persuasion Across Time and Space: Analyzing and Producing Complex Texts" was designed to provide exemplars illustrating how English Language Arts Common Core Standards in Reading Informational Text and Writing Arguments can be used to deepen and accelerate the learning and instruction of English Language Learners (ELLs), especially at the middle school level. This unit was designed for students who have reached at least an intermediate level of proficiency in English (see Level 3 in the Framework for English Language Development Proficiency Standards 1). The introductory section provides an overview for the entire unit, discusses the rationale for the instructional approach, and provides a "pre-assessment" for students to complete before the unit begins. There are five lessons in this unit; teachers can expect to devote at least 2-3 45 minute periods to the content. Students will look at (among other things) the Gettysburg Address, Ethos, Logos and Pathos in Civil Rights Movement speeches and Barbara Jordan's All Together Now speech. This unit was developed for Stanford University's Graduate School of Education's Understanding Language Initiative by WestEd’s Teacher Professional Development Program.