Unit 4: On Presenting Arguments

The chapters in Unit 4 are filled with information on argumentation and writing persuasive essays, that can get somewhat dry for students to engage with long term, especially those who have strong interests in creative writing and viual arts.

For the second part of the coordinating assignment in Unit 4, students must create a brief PowerPoint presentation about their argument in the essay from Part I. This is where students will apply both creativity and speaking skills to this assignment.

Suggestions to enhance student presentations:

• Designing Effective Slides: Teach students the basics of creating clear and engaging PowerPoint slides. Emphasize the importance of visual aids, concise text (slide word count), and speaker’s notes. Provide examples of successful and ineffective slides to illustrate key points.
• Oral Presentation Techniques: Conduct a mini-workshop on public speaking and presentation skills. Topics can include maintaining eye contact, using body language, managing speaking anxiety, and how to effectively use speaker’s notes.
• Integrating Visual and Oral Components: There are many resources online to aid in the creativity and impressiveness of student PowerPoint presentations, don’t be afraid to share these resources with students and instruct on how to use them, if interested. Then, guide students in translating their written arguments into a visual format. This involves selecting key points to highlight in their slides and practicing how to verbally elaborate on these points while presenting.

By integrating these strategies and activities, you can create a comprehensive and engaging unit that helps students master the art of argumentation. The combination of writing and presenting their arguments will not only enhance their persuasive writing skills but also prepare them for effective communication in various contexts. Encourage students to be critical thinkers, confident speakers, and persuasive writers, ready to tackle argumentative writing with clarity and conviction.