Title: Crafting the Background Paragraph: Shifting Audiences and Source Credibility
Synopsis: This lesson focused on the transition from theoretical discussion of essay writing to practical application, emphasizing the importance of the background paragraph in persuasive essays. Students learned to differentiate source types and credibility levels, which informs the structure of their background paragraphs. The objective was to enable students to critically evaluate sources and construct background paragraphs that establish credibility and relevance for their arguments.
Attendance:
– Absent: Diana, Mahabat (arrived late), Firuza (arrived late), Adila (not mentioned later, possibly absent).
– Late: Firuza, Mahabat.
Topics Covered:
– Introduction to the importance of the background paragraph in persuasive essays.
– Review of homework on finding details and sources for learning characteristics.
– Attendance check and brief discussion on schedule changes (no class on Friday due to mock exam).
– Detailed explanation of the shift in the background paragraph’s purpose, from providing context to demonstrating source credibility.
– Review of source categorization (primary, secondary, tertiary) and credibility levels (high, medium, low).
– Workshop activity: Students reviewed each other’s sources, categorizing them by type and credibility.
– Discussion on constructing the background paragraph, including proper citation of interviews and ordering of sources by credibility.
Actionable Items:
– Continue to emphasize the distinction between source types and credibility in future lessons.
– Address any lingering confusion about citing personal interviews and integrating various sources into the background paragraph.
– Monitor student progress on understanding the audience’s knowledge level and how it impacts essay structure.
– Ensure students are clear on the homework assignment and expectations for source credibility.
Homework:
– Complete the second edition of the finding details assignment by selecting a second learning characteristic and finding two sources that answer related questions.
– At least one source must be of high credibility for the upcoming essay.