Persuasive Speaking Skills

Objective

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1. Construct a clear, persuasive argument.
2. Deliver their argument effectively using verbal and nonverbal communication techniques.
3. Provide and receive constructive feedback on persuasive speech.

Curriculum Area and Level

CA Education Standards: English Language Arts Grade 12

• ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.3: Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, identifying any fallacious reasoning or exaggerated or distorted evidence.
• ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective; make strategic use of digital media.
• ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.6: Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating a command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.

Materials Needed

• Whiteboard and markers
• Note cards
• Timer
• Feedback forms

Lesson Plan Outline

Warm-Up (5 minutes)

1. Greeting and Attendance: Briefly greet the students and take attendance.
2. Introduction: Explain the objective of the lesson. Engage them by asking their experience with persuasive speaking.

Ice-Breaker Activity (10 minutes)

1. Two-Minute Persuade: Each student will have two minutes to persuade the other student about a fun, light-hearted topic (e.g., best vacation destination, best movie of all time).
2. Rules: Inform students they can use only vocal and facial expressions; no props or internet support.

Instruction (10 minutes)

1. Components of Persuasive Speaking: Briefly go through the critical components (claim, evidence, counter-argument, conclusion).
2. Techniques: Discuss verbal techniques (tone, pace, clarity) and non-verbal techniques (gestures, eye contact, posture).

Activity - Crafting the Argument (15 minutes)

1. Topic Selection: Students individually choose a real-world topic they are passionate about (e.g., climate change, social media impact, college tuition fees).
2. Outline: Guide students to draft an outline using note cards:
   • Claim
   • Supporting Evidence
   • Counter-Argument
   • Conclusion

Practice and Delivery (15 minutes)

1. Speech Practice: Each student practices delivering their persuasive speech. Use a timer to ensure they stay within the 3-minute limit.
2. Feedback: After each speech, the other student provides feedback using pre-designed forms. Emphasize constructive criticism.
3. Switch Roles: Ensure both students have the opportunity to speak and give feedback.

Reflection and Warm-Down (5 minutes)

1. Self-Assessment: Each student reflects on their performance, noting areas of strength and areas needing improvement.
2. Discussion: Briefly discuss what they found challenging and what strategies helped them. Encourage students to express their thoughts freely.

Conclusion

• Summarize: Recap the key points learned about persuasive speaking.
• Homework: Assign a brief reflection paper on their speech experience and areas for improvement in persuasive speaking.

Additional Notes

• Personalize feedback for each student highlighting their unique strengths and areas of improvement.
• Maintain an encouraging and supportive environment to build confidence in public speaking.

By crafting a specific and dynamic lesson plan tailored to CA education standards, you can ensure your students not only meet curriculum requirements but also develop critical life skills.