The Art of Rhetoric
This scheme of work is a varied project for year nine pupils using activities based around exciting and engaging resources.
Reading, writing and speaking and listening skills will be utilised, providing an introduction to persuasive writing which will provide skills to bridge the gap between key stages 3 and 4.
Each lesson includes a clearly structured suggested plan and resources that can be adapted according to the needs of your group.
The unit begins with an internet based research task and then allows students to show their knowledge through analysis of film extracts, including Men in Black and print based texts ranging from Shakespeare to a Pepsi advert.
The scheme moves on to closer analysis of rhetoric, using Atticus Finch’s closing speech from To Kill a Mockingbird. A link to a very useful website is also included so that pupils can both hear and see effective rhetoric at work.
Opportunity for writing assessment and Assessment for Learning is included in a task that challenges students to save the world from hostile aliens! Drafting and editing is encouraged throughout and a handy ‘rhetoric mat’ will remind students to keep using those features.
Finally, a speaking and listening assessment could be used to end this unit of work, encouraging pupils to give individual extended contributions and cumulating in peer assessment.