Introduction
This unit focused on how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. uses rhetoric and word choice to develop points about human rights in “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” and how his purpose is supported by claims, evidence, and rationale. For the past 4 lessons, we analyzed the ending of “Letter from Birmingham Jail” with a focus on how rhetorical devices promote productive struggle in order to advance King’s claims.
The aim for this lesson/assessment is:
How does King develop and refine claims in order to advance his purpose that “we need to take direct action now!”?
Additional essential question: How does King use rhetorical devices to advance his purpose?
Task
Your essay must be typed double spaced in size 12 Times New Roman font. Please, read the prompt and Common Core standards below.
Common Core ELA Standards:
RI.9-10.1: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text; , RI.9-10.5: Analyze in detail how an author’s ideas or claims are developed and refined by particular sentences, paragraphs, or larger portions of a text; RI.9-10.6: Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how an author uses rhetoric to advance that point of view or purpose, RI.9-10.9: Analyze seminal U.S. documents of historical and literary significance including how they address related themes and concepts. W.9-10.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.W.9-10.9.b: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research; apply grades 9-10 Reading standards to literary nonfiction. L.9-10.1: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. L.9-10.2: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Process
Please complete the checklist as you write your essay or once you have finished, to assure that you are on the right track to receiving the most points possible for this assessment.
Link to "Letter from Birmingham Jail" http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html
Evaluation
Please, see the rubric for this assessment below.
Conclusion
Your end of unit assessment for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail" is due electronically on Monday, April 20th at 11:59 p.m. This WebQuest provides you with the task/writing prompt, a checklist, a rubric, and a link to an electronic version of the text in case you have lost your copy. Email me should you have any questions (amandamvelez9@gmail.com)
Good Luck!