# Lesson Plan: Analytical and Persuasive Writing for Year 8
### Lesson Overview:
In this lesson, Year 8 students will develop their writing skills by learning to craft analytical and persuasive essays. By the end of the lesson, students should be able to distinguish between analytical and persuasive writing and produce a short piece in each style.
## Objective:
- Understand the differences between analytical and persuasive writing.
- Develop skills in constructing analytical and persuasive essays.
- Produce a short analytical essay and a short persuasive essay.
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### Duration:
1 hour and 20 minutes
### Materials:
- Whiteboard and markers
- Handouts with essay examples
- Graphic organisers for essay planning
- Computers/tablets (if available) for typing essays
- Notebooks and pens
### Common Core Standards:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.1: Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.1: Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly.
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### Lesson Sequence:
#### Introduction (10 minutes)
1. **Starter Activity:**
- Begin with a short discussion: "What is the difference between analysing and persuading?" Write student responses on the board.
- Explain that today’s lesson focuses on understanding and practising both analytical and persuasive writing.
#### Instruction (20 minutes)
2. **Analytical Writing:**
- Definition: Analytical writing involves examining and interpreting facts and ideas, often from a text.
- Structure: Introduction, Body Paragraphs (each with a point and evidence), Conclusion.
3. **Persuasive Writing:**
- Definition: Persuasive writing aims to convince the reader to adopt a particular point of view or take a specific action.
- Structure: Introduction, Thesis Statement, Body Paragraphs (each with argument and supporting evidence), Conclusion.
4. **Examples:**
- Distribute handouts with one analytical essay extract and one persuasive essay extract.
- Read through the examples and breakdown the structure together as a class.
#### Guided Practice (20 minutes)
5. **Analysis of Given Prompts:**
- Divide the class into pairs.
- Give each pair one analytical and one persuasive prompt:
- Analytical Prompt: Analyse how a character from a recently read story changes throughout the narrative.
- Persuasive Prompt: Argue whether or not mobile phones should be allowed in schools.
- Ask each pair to brainstorm their arguments and points, using the graphic organiser provided.
#### Independent Practice (30 minutes)
6. **Writing:**
- Students individually choose one prompt from each category to write a short analytical essay and a short persuasive essay (each about 250 words).
- Provide time for students to draft their essays and walk around to offer support and answer questions.
#### Conclusion (10 minutes)
7. **Sharing and Reflection:**
- Ask a few volunteers to read their essays aloud.
- Encourage classmates to give positive feedback and constructive criticism.
- Reflect on what was learned today about analytical and persuasive writing.
- Collect the essays for assessment.
### Homework:
- Assign students to expand one of their essays to a full-length piece (approximately 500 words) for submission in the next class.
### Assessment:
- Evaluate the short essays for understanding of essay structure, clarity of arguments, and use of evidence.
- Give feedback on strengths and areas for improvement.
### Extensions:
- For early finishers, provide more complex prompts or offer a mini-lesson on advanced persuasive techniques, such as counterarguments and rebuttals.
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### Teacher's Notes:
- Ensure all students understand the basic structure and purpose of both types of writing.
- Be attentive to students who may struggle and offer differentiated support, such as additional graphic organisers or one-on-one brainstorming sessions.
- Celebrate successes and encourage a positive and constructive critical thinking atmosphere.