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Pitch-Perfect Persuasion

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Mollie Momenteller

Tier 1
For Schools

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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