Competency Goal:
Students will read, discuss, and reflect on content and rhetorical techniques in various types of texts, including self-selected texts.
Objective:
Students will analyze President Obama’s statement on the 2024 U.S. presidential election, focusing on how rhetorical techniques convey democratic values. They will discuss how these values relate to their own lives and explore rhetorical techniques through comparative analysis with another self-selected text.
Introduction: Understanding the Purpose and Context of the Statement
- Contextualization:
Begin by discussing the role of statements from public figures after elections, particularly in democratic societies. Highlight why these statements are important for national unity and democratic principles, such as acceptance of results, peaceful transfer of power, and respect for differing viewpoints. - Guiding Questions:
- Why might leaders make statements even if they lost an election?
- How can such statements help strengthen democratic values?
- What impact might these statements have on the public?
Main Activity: Analyzing the Statement
Part 1: Close Reading and Annotation
- Read Obama’s statement
- Ask students to read the text carefully, annotating key phrases or passages that stand out. Encourage them to note:
- Expressions of democratic values (e.g., respect for election results, calls for unity).
- Emotional appeals (pathos) and logical arguments (logos).
- Words or phrases that might be intended to unify and reassure the audience.
Discussion Prompts:
- Which phrases emphasize democratic values?
- How does Obama acknowledge differing opinions respectfully?
- What rhetorical devices (e.g., repetition, inclusive language) does he use to strengthen his message?
Part 2: Group Discussion on Content and Techniques
Divide the class into small groups, each assigned one of the following themes to discuss:
- Acceptance of Election Results and Peaceful Transfer of Power
- How does Obama convey acceptance despite disappointment?
- Discuss why this is crucial in a democracy.
- Unity and Empathy
- How does the statement promote unity among people with differing views?
- What phrases encourage empathy or goodwill?
- Rhetorical Techniques
- Identify techniques such as inclusive language, emotional appeal, and repetition.
- How do these techniques strengthen the message?
Each group will share their findings, encouraging cross-group comparison of interpretations.
Reflection Activity: Personal Connection and Comparative Analysis
Written Reflection:
Ask students to write a brief reflection on one or both of these questions:
- How do democratic values like respect for differing opinions and peaceful transition of power apply in our own community or school?
- What personal actions can we take to promote unity and respect for diverse viewpoints in our daily lives?
Self-Selected Text Comparison:
As a homework assignment, have students select a text with similar themes, such as an op-ed, a speech, or a statement following a local or national election. Instruct them to analyze this self-chosen text using similar questions:
- How does the author convey respect for differing views or promote unity?
- What rhetorical techniques are used, and how effective are they?
- In what ways does this text relate to Obama’s statement?
In the next class, students can share their comparisons in small groups, noting similarities and differences in techniques, tone, and themes.
Conclusion: Summarizing Key Takeaways
End with a class discussion on what students have learned about:
- The importance of respectful discourse and reconciliation in democracy.
- The power of rhetorical techniques in shaping messages of unity.
- How they can apply these values and techniques in their own communication.
Extension Activities
- Debate Exercise:
Organize a classroom debate on a current topic, encouraging students to practice respectful discourse and empathy. - Essay Assignment:
Assign an essay on the theme “Building Unity in Times of Division,” where students reflect on how respectful dialogue and democratic values can help in resolving conflicts. - Role-Playing Scenarios:
Students can role-play different scenarios (e.g., a school council election) where they practice accepting results, reconciling differences, and promoting unity.