### Lesson Plan: Writing (Critical Essays and Narratives)
**Grade Level:** 9
**Subject:** Language Arts
**Duration:** 2 weeks (10 class periods, each 45 minutes)
**Topic:** Writing (Critical Essays and Narratives)
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#### **Objectives:**
1. Understand the structure and purpose of critical essays and narratives.
2. Develop skills to write coherent and well-organized critical essays.
3. Enhance narrative writing techniques, focusing on plot development, character building, and descriptive language.
4. Practice peer review and constructive criticism.
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#### **Materials:**
- Text excerpts (for analysis)
- Writing prompts
- Rubrics for essay and narrative evaluations
- Computers/tablets for drafting and revising
- Access to online dictionaries/thesauruses
- Example essays and stories
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#### **Day 1: Introduction to Critical Essays**
- **Objective:** Understand the purpose and structure of a critical essay.
- **Activities:**
- Discuss the importance and purpose of critical essays.
- Analyze a sample critical essay. Identify thesis statement, main arguments, evidence, and conclusion.
- Homework: Outline a critical essay based on a previously read literary text.
#### **Day 2: Developing a Thesis Statement**
- **Objective:** Master crafting a clear and concise thesis statement.
- **Activities:**
- Mini-lesson on thesis statements: what they are and why they matter.
- Thesis statement workshop: students write and share thesis statements.
- Peer review sessions to critique and improve thesis statements.
#### **Day 3: Structuring the Essay**
- **Objective:** Understand and practice organizing an essay with clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
- **Activities:**
- Review essay structure: introduction with a hook and thesis, body paragraphs with topic sentences and supporting details, conclusion.
- Break down the sample essay into its components.
- In-class activity: Students draft the introduction and body paragraphs based on their outlines.
#### **Day 4: Integrating Evidence**
- **Objective:** Learn to effectively incorporate and cite evidence in writing.
- **Activities:**
- Discuss the importance of using textual evidence to support arguments.
- Practice quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing.
- In-class activity: Students find evidence to support their body paragraphs and practice integrating it into their essays.
#### **Day 5: Peer Review and Revision**
- **Objective:** Develop skills in giving and receiving constructive feedback.
- **Activities:**
- Peer review session using a rubric; focus on clarity, argument strength, and use of evidence.
- Students revise their essays based on peer feedback.
- Homework: Complete the first draft for teacher review.
#### **Day 6: Introduction to Narrative Writing**
- **Objective:** Understand the elements of narrative writing.
- **Activities:**
- Discuss the elements of a narrative: plot, character, setting, theme, and conflict.
- Analyze a short story. Identify narrative elements.
- In-class activity: Brainstorm narrative ideas based on prompts.
#### **Day 7: Plot Development**
- **Objective:** Develop a coherent and engaging plot for a narrative.
- **Activities:**
- Review plot structure: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution.
- Plot mapping exercise: students create a plot outline for their narratives.
- Homework: Write a detailed plot outline.
#### **Day 8: Character Building**
- **Objective:** Create well-rounded characters.
- **Activities:**
- Discuss character development: traits, motivations, and evolution.
- Character creation activity: students write character sketches.
- In-class writing: Begin drafting the narrative focusing on character introduction.
#### **Day 9: Descriptive Language and Sensory Details**
- **Objective:** Enhance narratives with vivid descriptions and sensory details.
- **Activities:**
- Mini-lesson on sensory details and descriptive language.
- In-class activity: Describe a scene using all five senses.
- Integrate descriptions into the draft of the narrative.
#### **Day 10: Sharing and Revising Narratives**
- **Objective:** Refine narratives through peer feedback and self-revision.
- **Activities:**
- Peer review session with a narrative rubric; focus on plot coherence, character development, and descriptive language.
- Revise drafts based on feedback.
- Homework: Finalize narrative drafts for submission.
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#### **Assessment:**
- Critical Essay (30%): Evaluated based on structure, thesis, argument development, use of evidence, and clarity.
- Narrative (30%): Evaluated based on plot structure, character development, use of descriptive language, and overall coherence.
- Participation (20%): Active involvement in discussions, peer reviews, and in-class activities.
- Homework and Classwork (20%): Completion and quality of assignments and in-class projects.
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#### **Additional Notes:**
- Encourage students to express creativity and individual voice in their writing.
- Provide additional support sessions for students who need extra help.
- Use technology (like Google Docs) for collaborative writing and feedback.