The Power of Persuasion in the Abolitionist Movement

Subject Area(s): English - American Literature

Grade Level(s): 11

Format of Library of Congress media: Images

Best Instructional Practices

Standards

English 11.3d - The student will describe how the use of context and language structures conveys an author's intent and viewpoint

Length

One 90 minute block.

Lesson Summary

This lesson uses several different works by abolitionists to help students understand the importance of audience, style, content, and purpose in creating a persuasive piece. After studying these resources, students will work in small groups to complete a chart and answer questions. They will use the chart as a springboard for discussion about the methods of persuasion in each of the different samples.

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  The Child's Anti-Slavery Book

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  Woman to Woman

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  The Branded Hand

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  Declaration of the Anti-Slavery Convention

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  Sonnet to Liberty

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  Song of the Abolitionist

 

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All of the materials used in this lesson plan are available for downloading as PDF Files and PowerPoint files, as appropriate. PDF Files can be viewed with the free Adobe Reader.

• Entire Lesson Plan (PDF File)
  • Warm-up Scenario 1 and Scenario 2 (PDF File)
  • Instruction sheet (PDF File)
  • Questions for two primary sources (PDF File)
  • Chart for comparison of six primary sources (PDF File)
  • Exit Slip (PDF File)

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