English Language Arts8th Grade50 minutes
8th Grade Close Reading: Persuasive Speech Lesson Plan
Students close-read a short persuasive speech, annotate for rhetorical devices, discuss the speaker's techniques in a structured protocol, and write an evidence-based response.
Learning Objectives
- Annotate a persuasive speech for at least 3 rhetorical devices.
- Discuss the effectiveness of rhetorical choices using evidence.
- Write a short response evaluating the speaker's most effective technique.
Warm-Up: Rhetorical Device Review
5 min- Quick match: 5 rhetorical device terms (ethos, pathos, logos, repetition, rhetorical question) matched to definitions.
- Partner check. Review any terms the class struggled with.
First Read: Gist
8 min- Students read the speech silently for gist. Circle unfamiliar words.
- Brief class discussion: 'What is the speaker's main message?'
- Vocabulary check: address 2–3 circled words.
Second Read: Annotation
12 min- Students re-read and annotate for rhetorical devices using a color-coding system.
- Margin notes: 'What effect does this device have on the audience?'
- Teacher models the first paragraph annotation, then releases students.
Structured Discussion
12 min- Small groups (3–4) discuss: 'Which rhetorical device is most effective and why?'
- Each student shares one annotated example with evidence.
- Groups report out their consensus pick to the class.
Written Response & Closure
13 min- Students write 5–7 sentences: 'What is the speaker's most effective rhetorical technique? Use evidence from the speech.'
- Sentence starters available for students who need support.
- Collect responses. Preview: 'Tomorrow we compare two speeches.'
Differentiation Notes
- Scaffold: Annotated model of the first two paragraphs.
- Extension: Compare this speech to a second speech and evaluate which is more persuasive.
- ELL support: Rhetorical device reference card with definitions and examples in simple English.
Assessment
- Student product: Annotated speech and 5–7 sentence written response.
- Criteria: At least 3 devices identified, response uses specific text evidence.
- Success indicator: 75% of students produce a response with a clear claim and at least one embedded text citation.
Teacher Tips
- Choose a speech under 500 words so students have time for two reads and the written response.
- Color-coding annotation works best with highlighters — assign one color per device type.
- If discussion stalls, prompt with: 'Look at paragraph 3. What is the speaker doing to the audience there?'
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