Students will enter the unit by analyzing persuasive and manipulative rhetoric in visual and spoken texts, taking an initial position on a controversy about power and leadership, and previewing how those skills will transfer into their Animal Farm argument essay, multiple-choice rhetoric assessment, and persuasive speech.

Students will choose and test an initial position on a controversy connected to Animal Farm by analyzing competing claims, distinguishing persuasion from manipulation, drafting an opening claim and rationale, and building a question-and-source plan they will use to strengthen their later essay and speech.

Students will strengthen their persuasive speech and argument essay by testing claims against counterevidence, tightening warrants, revising rhetorical choices, and practicing live defense of their reasoning before the final showcase.

Students will present and defend their final persuasive speeches to the class, evaluate peers’ reasoning and rhetoric during the exhibition, and complete the culminating assessments for the unit.