Altruism and Interconnectedness in Short Texts

Lesson 3
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ELA

Unit 1

10th Grade

Lesson 3 of 11

Objective


Identify and analyze the rhetorical situation and key diction choices in “A Call for Unity.” Craft an argument about the extent to which the public statement is ethical.

Readings and Materials


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Target Task


Writing Prompt

To what extent is the public statement that is directed to Dr. King just?

Criteria for Success

  • Thesis: Responds to the prompt with a thesis that presents a defensible interpretation
  • Evidence: Includes multiple and varied evidence to support your line of reasoning
  • Commentary: Explains how your evidence supports your line of reasoning (reason or claim used to support a larger thesis)
  • Sophistication: Demonstrates sophistication of thought or develops a complex literary argument

Sample Response

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Key Thinking


Annotation Focus

What is the rhetorical situation? In other words, what lines in the text reveal the rhetorical situation including the exigence, purpose, audience, and context?

Scaffolding Questions

Who is the intended audience of this public statement? How do you know?

What claims do the eight clergymen establish to develop their argument?

What are the eight clergymen’s perspectives on protests? What are the eight clergymen’s perspectives on the courts? Which of the two do the clergymen believe is solely responsible for justice and why?

Discourse Questions

To what extent is the public statement that is directed to Dr. King just? 

Vocabulary


Text-based

forbearance

n.

patient self-control; restraint and tolerance

constructive

adj.

serving a useful purpose; tending to build up

sanction

v.

 give official permission or approval for (an action)

incite

v.

to encourage or stir up (violent or unlawful behavior)

Homework


  • Read and annotate the first half of “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”
    • Annotation Focus: Why is Dr. King writing this letter?

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Standards


  • LO 1.2B — Explain how the rhetorical features of an argument contribute to its effect and meaning.
  • LO 2.3A — Assert a precise central claim that establishes the relationship between a work's features and overall meaning.
  • RI.9-10.6 — Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how an author uses rhetoric to advance that point of view or purpose.
  • W.9-10.2.a — Introduce a topic; organize complex ideas, concepts, and information to make important connections and distinctions; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., figures, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.

Supporting Standards

LO 1.2A
LO 5.1A
LO 5.1B
RI.9-10.1
RI.9-10.2
SL.9-10.1
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Lesson 2

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Lesson 4

Lesson Map

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