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A good lesson on delivering Persuasive Speeches (as Presidential Candidates) that also teaches Presidential History
Language Arts, Social Studies
6, 7, 8
Title – Presidential Campaign Persuasive Speeches
By – Christine Helwig
Primary Subject – Language Arts
Secondary Subjects – Social Studies
Grade Level – 6-8
Note from LessonPlansPage.com: This lesson makes use of a worksheet that is not included. However, you may be able to make use of the lesson plan without the worksheet.
This lesson covers presidential history, persuasive writing, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and advertising techniques.
Presidential Speech Requirements
Objective: Students will pretend they are a presidential candidate from the list below and write an election speech (persuasive writing).
Possibilities: John F. Kennedy / Lyndon B. Johnson (pretend he ran for a second term) / Richard M. Nixon / Gerald R. Ford / Jimmy Carter / Ronald Reagan / George Bush (Sr.)
Ã‚Â·Find information about the presidential candidate.
Ã‚Â·Make sure facts are used as a basis for the speech – opinions about the candidate should not be used.
Ã‚Â·Must be 2-4 minutes long
Ã‚Â·Must have note cards
Ã‚Â·Must include a minimum of 5 important facts about this candidate. (May include: political beliefs, past political positions, environmental policies, etc.)
Ã‚Â·Must have completed “Persuasion Worksheet”
Ã‚Â·Must have an aesthetically appealing visual aid
Ã‚Â·May not use video camera but may use the computer for Power Point (this can be your visual aid)
Persuasion Worksheet Guidelines
Students will identify:
-Who they are and why they chose that presidential candidate
-Who the audience is and why they chose that audience (union workers, moms, etc.)
-What need in Maslow’s Needs is being met
-What advertising techniques they are using to advertise themselves