Rationale, Rubrics and Curriculum

 

Persuasive technique and writing is not only a valuable life skill but something that features heavily in curriculum throughout the high school years.  The aim of this site is to provide teachers and students with a valuable resource that although aimed at year 10 level, can be used as a whole or in adapted parts for a range of levels and abilities.

 

This page specifically is made for teachers but welcomes and encourages student exploration. In each individual topic heading you will find example rubrics and direct links to AusVELS curriculum for each activity. As this site was made by teachers, we understand the importance of having well thought out, interactive and curriculum specific material but at the same time we know how important it is to make them class specific so we welcome the use and amendment of any of the activities on the site. We do ask however for your feedback on the activities, how you used the resource and how it was received to further the community of educators and learners (contact details in 'Resources' tab).

 

WEBSITE MAP/OVERVIEW

 

HOME - gives a broad introduction to the use and contexts of persuasive writing with a PDF link to all major techniques including examples.

SPEECH - includes an indepth look at how oratory devices can be employed in argument. Inclusive of an introduction to oratory devices, tactics, creation and delivery.

VISUAL - this section covers three main type of visual persuasion/argument including campaigns and political cartoons with a small section dedicated to advertisement but the emphasis give to the previous topics.

WRITTEN - broken down into two topics of deconstruction of argumant and constructing an argument these sections give many practical examples and activities.

TEACHERS TAB - lends itself to linking all activities to AusVELS and the national curriculum as well as discussing the rationale behind each topic and the site as a whole. Although this tab is dedicated to teachers students are encouraged to explore this section to gain explicit information such as rubrics.

RESOURCES - is dedicated to giving links to the specific articles, documents and websites that informed the construction of this website ad the reasoning behind some of the creative and educational choices we made in the process.

 

 

Classic & Contemporary Discussion Topics

 

The following list of questions provides a good example of subjects/topics that could be argued either way by students in their presentation. This is by no means a complete list and these questions/topics can be adapted to suit a body of students/individuals. These questions are directed at a Year 10 level.

 

• Australia has an obligation to help refugees who are trying to come to our country

• Australia must do whatever it can to help its students in schools

• The death penalty should be used against people who murder others

• Students should not be required to wear uniform to school

• The voting age should be lowered to allow younger people in Australia to vote

• The Victorian Government must build the East-West Link

• Poaching animals for their ivory should be in the public’s focus

• Those who harm animals should be harmed themselves

• Australia should have a President, not a Governor-General

• Same sex marriage should be legalised in Australia

• Smoking should be illegal

• Every child should be given a mobile phone

• Voting should not be compulsory in Australia

• The drinking age should be lowered

• Alcohol should be illegal

• Assisted suicide should be legal in Australia

• Teachers should be paid less in Victoria

• The Australian Government should do more to help the environment

• The Human Race should explore space more

• Democracy and voting is overrated

 

Ideas for some of these topics have been adapted from the following website: http://idebate.org/view/top_100_debates

 

 

Curriculum Links for Activities