how do you get your opinion heard?

We're going to spend the next couple weeks using Optimist Club contests as a vehicle for solidifying and defending an opinion. Besides getting a few extra points for this double-module, you have the chance to win a scholarship!

Module summary:

• choose either the essay track or the speech track
  • essay prompt: Can society function without respect?
  • speech prompt: where are my roots of optimism?
• solidify your opinion and research to support it
• plan your essay or speech, then revise and rehearse

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essential questions

• How do we share our opinions meaningfully?
• How do we synthesize multiple sources to present an argument?

goals

• Students will understand that we share opinions meaningfully by creating a clear thesis and backing it up with well-organized examples of support
• Students will understand that it's important to use a variety of different perspectives in a persuasive argument so your ideas are given extra weight and authority.

activities: week 1
(15 - 19 jan)

Monday

• warm-up: four corners activity (agree/disagree)
• review expectations for double-module
• discuss topics to explore opinions

Tuesday

• no class - ski day

Wednesday

• essay: review essay expectations, MLA citations and format
• speech: review speech tips (ethos, pathos, logos)
• plan central argument
• research as needed to add a variety of supporting points

Thursday

• start planning essay or speech
• get input from the group about your plan so far

Friday

• goal for the week: general outline of essay or speech
• get syllabus signed off

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activities: week 2
(22 - 26 jan)

Monday

• warm-up: speak with conviction video
• review progress from last week
• continue planning/researching
  • essay: start to draft 
  • speech: start to build outline and notes

Tuesday

• essay: finish rough draft (700-800 words)
• speech: finish notes for 4-5 minute speech
  • rehearse and time
• self-critique essay or speech using form
• revise as needed

Wednesday

• conference with Christine about rough draft of essay or first go-around with speech
• revise, continue rehearsing

Thursday

• essay: complete peer evaluation
• speech: rehearse and time
• finish polishing essay or speech

Friday

• wrap up speech or essay as needed
• get syllabus signed off

c-tachs

Writing

• Conduct short and more sustained research projects to answer a question or solve a problem
• Gather relevant information for multiple print and digital sources; assessing the credibility and accuracy of each source; quote and paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism; use a standard form for citation

Reading

• Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in different media and formats in order to address a question or solve a problem

Speaking and listening

• Present information, findings and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective
• Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English
  

documents

Optimist Essay Contest Syllabus
File Size:	40 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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Optimist Oratorical Contest Syllabus
File Size:	39 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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