Rhetoric and The Great Migration

Overview

This 30-minute lesson explores the use of rhetoric in poetry related to the Great Migration—a pivotal moment in Black American history. Students will analyze key rhetorical devices used by poets to convey themes of hope, struggle, and change. This lesson aligns to Common Core State Standards for 10th grade English Language Arts and focuses on critical reading, analysis, and writing/speaking skills.

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Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Analyze how rhetorical devices shape meaning in poems about the Great Migration (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.4)
• Cite textual evidence to support analysis of themes and rhetoric (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.1)
• Write briefly to explain the impact of rhetorical choices in poetry (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2)
• Participate in a focused discussion using text-based evidence (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1)

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Materials Needed

• Copies of selected poems related to the Great Migration (e.g., excerpts from Langston Hughes or Gwendolyn Brooks)
• Whiteboard or projector
• Student notebooks or paper
• Pens/pencils

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Standards Alignment

• RL.9-10.1: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
• RL.9-10.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone.
• W.9-10.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
• SL.9-10.1: Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9–10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

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Lesson Activities

1. Hook & Introduction (5 minutes)

• Begin with a brief discussion: “What do you know about the Great Migration? What kinds of stories or emotions might poets want to share about this period?”
• Share a short, powerful excerpt or line from a poem by Langston Hughes or Gwendolyn Brooks about the Great Migration that highlights hope or challenge.

2. Close Reading & Rhetoric Exploration (12 minutes)

• Hand out poem excerpts focusing on two or three rhetorical devices: metaphor, repetition, imagery.
• Model a close reading of one stanza, identifying rhetorical strategies used and their effects on meaning and tone.
• In pairs, students annotate their poem excerpts to identify rhetorical devices and discuss how these shape the theme of the Great Migration.

3. Quick Write & Discussion (8 minutes)

• Prompt: “Choose one rhetorical device you found and explain how it helps portray the emotions or experiences of those involved in the Great Migration.”
• Students write a brief paragraph (3-5 sentences) citing evidence.
• Facilitate a 3-5 minute whole-class discussion where volunteers share their analyses and respond to peers, reinforcing text-based evidence and rhetorical awareness.

4. Wrap-Up & Assessment (5 minutes)

• Summarize key points regarding rhetoric and history in poetry.
• Exit Ticket: On a small card or paper, students write one rhetorical device learned today and one way it enhanced their understanding of the Great Migration.

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Differentiation

• For struggling readers: Provide annotated copies of poems with explanations of rhetorical devices already highlighted.
• For advanced learners: Challenge them to compare rhetorical strategies between two poems or consider the historical context influencing rhetorical choices.

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Teacher Reflection

After the lesson, reflect on student engagement with rhetorical concepts and historical connections. Did students make clear connections between rhetoric and the emotional experience of the Great Migration? Use exit tickets to gauge understanding and plan follow-up lessons to deepen textual analysis and historical/contextual study.

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This compact lesson uniquely integrates historical content with literary analysis, crossing disciplines in a way that empowers students to critically engage with both rhetoric and Black American history.