how do you develop a position?

This week's Construct module is a little off-beat - it's an opportunity to critique a romantic comedy (we'll be using You've Got Mail) and either defending or prosecuting the genre of romantic comedies.

Module summary:
  • watch You've Got Mail and take notes on positive and negative elements of the movie
  • be assigned to either the pro or the con side of the argument
  • read sources supporting or condemning romantic comedies
  • develop your argument and defend it in a mini debate

essential questions
  • How do outside perspectives add depth to research?
  • How do we synthesize multiple sources to present an argument?

goals
  • ​Students will understand that reading articles from multiple authors presents varying perspectives and case studies, which adds depth to an argument.
  • Students will understand that intentional note-taking allows us to organize and make connections between information to structure an effective argument.

activities
Expose [Monday/Tuesday]
  • Discuss preconceived notions and stereotypes about romantic comedies [doing it on your own? write a 3.8]
  • Watch You've Got Mail
    • take notes on elements of the movie (plot, setting, characters, theme) that you like and that you don't like
  • Discuss movie - initial reaction based on observations
Practice [Tuesday/Wednesday]
  • Split into two sides of the debate answering the question, "are romantic comedies ultimately good or bad for society?"
  • Read articles supporting your side (articles are provided)
    • annotate points and examples that will support your side
  • Plan a strategy with your team to present your argument
  • Write out notes for your position and to address possible rebuttals, practice arguments/speeches
Create [Thursday]
  • Participate in class debate: "Are romantic comedies ultimately good or bad for society?"
Reflect [Friday]
  • Fill out debate evaluation
  • Debrief debate - content and style - for yourself, your team, and your opponents

c-tachs
Writing
  • Conduct short and more sustained research projects to answer a question or solve a problem
Reading
  • Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research
  • Cite strong textual evidence to support analysis of explicit and implicit meaning of text 

documents
RomCom Syllabus
File Size: 46 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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