Pitch-Perfect Persuasion

Mollie Momenteller

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Pitch-Perfect Persuasion

Students will analyze ethos, pathos, and logos along with other persuasive techniques to craft a focused, compelling persuasive paragraph.

Mastering persuasive strategies equips students to communicate effectively in academic essays and real-world contexts, fostering critical thinking and audience awareness.

Audience

High School Students

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Analyze examples, discuss strategies, and practice persuasive writing.

Materials

Persuasive Op-Ed Excerpt, - Rhetorical Appeals Practice Worksheet, - Persuasive Techniques Reference Sheet, - Persuasive Graphic Organizer, and - Persuasive Writing Rubric

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Review Persuasive Op-Ed Excerpt, Rhetorical Appeals Practice Worksheet, and Persuasive Techniques Reference Sheet.
Prepare digital or printed copies of the Persuasive Graphic Organizer and Persuasive Writing Rubric for each student.
Set up chart paper or a slide displaying definitions of ethos, pathos, and logos.

Step 1

Hook and Objective

5 minutes

Introduce the lesson objective: explore persuasive strategies and craft a persuasive paragraph.
Read aloud the Persuasive Op-Ed Excerpt as a hook.
Prompt a quick think-pair-share: What makes this excerpt convincing?

Step 2

Rhetorical Appeals Exploration

10 minutes

Distribute Rhetorical Appeals Practice Worksheet.
In pairs, identify examples of ethos, pathos, and logos in the excerpt.
Share findings; chart key examples under each appeal.

Step 3

Persuasive Techniques Mini-Lesson

10 minutes

Introduce additional techniques: repetition, rhetorical questions, call to action, anecdotes.
Provide Persuasive Techniques Reference Sheet.
Model how a rhetorical question can strengthen an argument.

Step 4

Guided Graphic Organizer Activity

15 minutes

Distribute Persuasive Graphic Organizer.
Students choose a prompt or real-world issue.
Fill out claim, supporting appeals/techniques, evidence, and audience considerations.
Circulate to offer feedback and prompt deeper thinking.

Step 5

Write and Review Persuasive Paragraph

15 minutes

Using their organizer, students write a 5–7 sentence persuasive paragraph.
Exchange with a partner for feedback using the Persuasive Writing Rubric.
Revise based on peer input, focusing on clear appeals and techniques.

Step 6

Closure and Reflection

5 minutes

Invite volunteers to share revised paragraphs.
Discuss which strategies were most effective and why.
Assign extension: apply these techniques in the upcoming essay.

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