Argument, evidence, and presence — build a persuasive essay and deliver a TED-style talk.
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Mon | Read MLK "Letter from Birmingham Jail" (excerpt); identify ethos, pathos, logos Reading |
| Tue | Watch 2 TED Talks; analyze: how does the speaker hook you? Build credibility? Move you? Reading |
| Wed | Brainstorm: 10 things you genuinely believe strongly about — pick the one you can argue best Writing |
| Thu | Research your topic for 1 hour; find 3 statistics or facts that support your position Computer |
| Fri | Pitch your argument in 60 seconds; class gives feedback: is it specific? Arguable? Kinesthetic |
Analyze one of the speeches or talks you studied: identify three specific rhetorical techniques the speaker uses (repetition, personal story, statistics, rhetorical question, etc.). For each technique, quote the exact line and explain why it works. What makes this argument persuasive to you specifically?
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Mon | Argument structure deep-dive: Toulmin model (claim, grounds, warrant, backing, rebuttal) Reading |
| Tue | Write your full argument map: central claim + 3 supporting points + strongest counter-argument Writing |
| Wed | Find one piece of strong evidence for each supporting point; evaluate source quality Writing |
| Thu | Type argument map in Google Docs; use headers and bullet evidence under each point Computer |
| Fri | Argument debate: defend your position against a partner's attacks Kinesthetic |
Write your argument map in full sentences: (1) your main claim, (2) three reasons with one sentence of evidence each, (3) the strongest counter-argument someone could make against you, (4) your rebuttal. This map becomes the skeleton of both your essay and your talk.
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Mon | Essay structure: hook → background → thesis → 3 body paragraphs → counter → conclusion Writing |
| Tue | Draft your introduction: the hook must earn the reader's attention in 2 sentences Writing |
| Wed | Draft body paragraphs 1–3; each paragraph: topic sentence + evidence + analysis Writing |
| Thu | Draft counter-argument and rebuttal paragraph; type full essay draft Computer |
| Fri | Peer review: are the claims clear? Is the evidence convincing? Does the logic hold? Discussion |
Draft your conclusion paragraph. It must do three things: (1) restate the thesis in fresh language, (2) synthesize (not just summarize) your three main points, (3) end with a call to action or a question that stays with the reader. The last sentence of an essay is the most remembered — make it count.
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Mon | How TED Talks differ from essays: conversational tone, story-first, no slides full of text Reading |
| Tue | Adapt your essay into a talk script: shorter sentences, direct address, transitions Writing |
| Wed | Identify 2–3 personal stories or examples that make the argument human and memorable Writing |
| Thu | Build a 5-slide visual: one visual per main section — no bullet lists Computer |
| Fri | First run-through of full talk — standing up, from notes, not reading Kinesthetic |
Adapt the opening 2 minutes of your essay into a talk opening. A talk opens differently than an essay — you might start with a story, a surprising fact, or a question to the audience. Write two different openings for your talk and choose the stronger one. What makes a spoken opening different from a written one?
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Mon | Full talk run-through; record on phone; watch playback and note improvement areas Kinesthetic |
| Tue | Revise talk script based on recording; refine transitions and pacing Writing |
| Wed | Final essay revision: proofread, check citations, strengthen any weak paragraphs Computer |
| Thu | Dress rehearsal: full talk in front of a small audience — parents, sibling, or neighbor Kinesthetic |
| Fri | Final prep: essay printed/exported; slides finalized; notes ready Computer |
Watch your recorded rehearsal and write a 150-word self-critique: What are your three strongest moments in the talk? What are the two things you most want to improve? Specific feedback only — not "I need to be more confident" but "I lose eye contact at minute 2:30 and I rush through the counter-argument."
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Mon | Final essay submitted; last review of talk notes and slides Computer |
| Tue | Final rehearsal with full setup — projector, standing position, water bottle Kinesthetic |
| Wed | Write thank-you note / invitation for showcase guests Writing |
| Thu | Set up showcase space; prepare both essay and talk materials Kinesthetic |
| Fri | SHOWCASE: TED-style talk + persuasive essay presentation — Year-End Celebration Showcase |
After the showcase, write a final reflection for your year-end portfolio: What is the most important thing you learned about writing this year? Which unit challenged you most? Which piece of writing are you most proud of and why? What kind of writer do you want to be?
A polished 5-paragraph persuasive essay plus a 6-minute TED-style talk with 5-slide visual. Delivered live at the year-end showcase for family, friends, and invited guests. This is the capstone of the 8th grade year.