Research, Reasoning, and Argumentation: The Great Debaters!
While argumentation is based primarily in nonfiction research, we will analyze a variety of literature in order to sharpen both our critical thinking and reasoning/ logic skills in addition to our speaking/ presentation experiences. Mentor texts include various historical speeches including but not limited to Lincoln's famous "House Divided" address, Roosevelt's "Day of Infamy" speech, Reagan's "Challenger" address to the nation, the film "Twelve Angry Men", excerpts from Denzel Washington's "The Great Debaters" and Harper Lee's classic text "To Kill a Mockingbird". Literacy and literary skills addressed will include the identification and application of Logical Fallacies, the use of Pathos, Ethos, and Logos while developing logical, effective speech presentations through Text Structure organization for direct/ implied Main Ideas. I look forward to the discussions we will have over the next 9 weeks as we learn to use literacy and language in order to effect relevant change in our lives!