Civic Oration

1. Civic Oration “A person who overcame obstacles”

2. Bell Ringer: Wed. 2/20 • What does it mean to overcome obstacles? 2. What are the characteristics of a well-written essay ?

3. Research Essay / Civic Oration-Class work and homework • Complete the outline to help organize and format your essay. • Read sample essay. • Write introduction and first body paragraph.

4. Research Essay / Civic Oration • Does your introduction have an interesting hook? • Do you provide an explanation of what an obstacle is? • Do you introduce your person?

5. Bell Ringer: Th. 2/21 • Which of the following sentences would be the best thesis statement for an essay about a person overcoming obstacles? • My essay is going to be about how Michael Oher became an NFL player. • In my opinion, Martin Luther King has overcame many obstacles in life ,and he did it by using peaceful approaches. • Bethany Hamilton has overcome many obstacles in her life; however, the most significant was her perseverance in surfing despite losing her arm in a shark attack. • Well, Shyima Hall is a hero because she escaped slavery and she was able to continue school, graduate from high school, and become an American citizen. 2. What life-lesson did you learn from your significant person?

6. Peer Review • Read your Learning Partner’s introduction and background paragraph. Answer the following questions. • Take out your Forbidden Words and Proof Reading Handout. Introduction (Paragraph 1): • Does your partner’s introduction have a hook? • Does the hook make you want to read more? • How does your partner define “overcoming an obstacle”? • Is there a thesis statement that introduces the topic? • Are there any spelling, punctuation, or grammar mistakes? • Are there any forbidden words? Background Paragraph (Paragraph 2): • Are there five facts in this paragraph? • Do the sentences flow in a logical order? • Are there any spelling, punctuation, or grammar mistakes? • Are there any forbidden words?

7. Post It Peer Review Need Improvement

8. Peer Review • Read your Learning Partner’s introduction and background paragraph. Answer the following questions. • Take out your Forbidden Words and Proof Reading Handout. Obstacles Paragraph (Paragraph 3) : • Is there a topic sentence? • Does your partner list obstacles and challenges faced by their person? • Are there sufficient details? • Is there a closing sentence that brings closure to the paragraph? • Is there transitional phrases? • Are there any spelling, punctuation, or grammar mistakes? • Are there any forbidden words? Overcoming Obstacles(Paragraph 4): • Is there a topic sentence? • Does your partner explain how these obstacles were overcome ? • Are there sufficient details? • Is there a closing sentence that brings closure to the paragraph? • Is there transitional phrases? • Are there any spelling, punctuation, or grammar mistakes? • Are there any forbidden words?

9. Peer Review • Read your Learning Partner’s introduction and background paragraph. Answer the following questions. • Take out your Forbidden Words and Proof Reading Handout. Honors, Awards, Achievements, Contributions Paragraph (Paragraph 5) : • Is there a topic sentence? • Does your partner explain the honors, awards, achievements, and contributions? • Are there sufficient details? • Is there a closing sentence that brings closure to the paragraph? • Is there transitional phrases? • Are there any spelling, punctuation, or grammar mistakes? • Are there any forbidden words? Conclusion (Paragraph 6): • Is there a transitional phrase? • Does your partner explain what life-lesson they learned from their person? • Is there a strong statement that discusses how the person changed society, a community, or the world? • Is there a Call to Action? • Are there any spelling, punctuation, or grammar mistakes? • Are there any forbidden words?

10. Homework • Complete all five paragraphs. - Introduction -Background - Obstacles -How the obstacles were overcome -Honors, Awards, Contributions • We will work on Conclusion tomorrow in class.

11. Bell Ringer: Fri. 2/22/13 Choose the best topic sentence for a paragraph about how someone overcame obstacles. • Abraham Lincoln got through many tough situations in his life by not ever giving up on nothing. • Despite the variety of adversity in her life, Oprah Winfrey was able to become successful through hard work and continuing her education. • Michael Jordan was the best player in the NBA because he was born with natural athletic ability that was admired by professional athletes everywhere. • Furthermore, Edgar Allan Poe was the most distinguishable writer of his time, and could be matched by no other.

12. Conclusion • Transitional Phrase • Restate thesis in new in different way • Life-Lesson learned • Statement you want your audience to remember about your person / How he or she changed the world. • Call to action All in all, Bethany Hamilton overcame adversity by never giving up on her dreams. Bethany’s life and accomplishments have taught me that even when a goal seems out of reach, it can still be achieved if you don’t give up. Bethany Hamilton is an inspiration to young people with disabilities everywhere. Thus, when your dream seems out of reach, remember the life and accomplishments of Bethany Hamilton.

13. Civic Oration : Homework • Write your entire introduction on the note card. • Write three to five main points for each of your body paragraphs. • Write your entire conclusion on your last note card. • Practice your speech at home in front of your parents. • Your civic oration should be at least three minutes and no longer than five minutes.

14. Bell Ringer: Mon. 2/25 • What makes a great speech? Speaker One Speaker Two Things that worked Things that work Things that did not work Things that did not work

15. Civic Oration Final Drafts Due Monday! Final Drafts • Cover Page: Title of essay, Picture, Name, Period, Date • Essay needs to be typed in 12 pt font • Times New Roman • Double Spaced What you will need to turn in: • Research questions • Outline • First Draft • Edit /Proofreading/Critique Handout • Final Draft • Note cards • Speech Rubric