HS Government Reading and Writing Workshop

Reading and Writing Workshop: 
The Presidency
Unit Objectives:By the end of this workshop, students will:

1. Analyze historical speeches and documents related to the U.S. Presidency.
2. Evaluate the impact of presidential roles through reading and discussion of public domain works.
3. Develop writing skills through crafting persuasive essays on presidential decision-making.
4. Use historical evidence to support claims in writing, with a focus on presidential rhetoric and policy.

Lesson 1: Introduction to Presidential Rhetoric and Reading Public Domain Works

• Objective: Students will be introduced to the art of presidential rhetoric and the importance of speeches in presidential roles.

Activities:

1. Introduction to Public Domain Speeches
   
   • Introduce the concept of public domain works, focusing on famous presidential speeches available in the public domain.
   • Examples: Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, Franklin D. Roosevelt's Day of Infamy speech, John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address.
   • Discuss how these speeches reflect presidential roles (chief of state, chief executive, etc.) and how rhetoric shapes public opinion.
2. Close Reading of a Presidential Speech
   
   • Students read one speech from the list above.
   • In small groups, they analyze the speech for key elements of presidential roles and persuasive techniques (ethos, pathos, logos).
   • Discussion Questions:
     • How does the President fulfill their role through the speech?
     • What persuasive techniques does the President use to address the nation?
     • How does the speech appeal to American values and ideals?

Homework:

• Read the Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln and highlight passages that showcase presidential roles. Write a brief reflection on how Lincoln’s speech addresses the role of "chief citizen."

Lesson 2: Analyzing Presidential Actions in Public Domain Texts

• Objective: Students will analyze primary source documents that reflect presidential decision-making.

Activities:

1. Read and Analyze the Emancipation Proclamation
   
   • In pairs, students read the Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln.
   • Analyze the language and its impact on domestic policy and international diplomacy.
   • Guiding Questions:
     • What role does Lincoln take on in issuing this proclamation (chief executive, commander in chief)?
     • How does the document reflect the tension between presidential power and public opinion?
2. Group Writing Exercise
   
   • Students will write a short analysis (1–2 paragraphs) of how the Emancipation Proclamation exemplifies Lincoln’s presidential roles.
   • Each group presents their findings to the class.

Homework:

• Research a specific presidential action (e.g., FDR’s New Deal programs, Truman’s decision to drop the atomic bomb). Write a 1–2 page response analyzing the action through the lens of one of the President's roles.

Lesson 3: Exploring Presidential Decision-Making Through Fiction and Non-Fiction

• Objective: Students will analyze fictional and non-fictional works that reflect presidential decisions and leadership.

Activities:

1. Reading: "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair (Excerpt)
   
   • Read excerpts from The Jungle, a public domain text that led to significant reforms in U.S. labor laws during Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency.
   • Discuss the role of the President in responding to public outcry and enacting reforms.
2. Discussion:
   
   • How did Roosevelt, as chief legislator and chief citizen, address public concerns about labor rights and food safety?
   • What does this text reveal about the relationship between the public, the President, and government action?

Writing Assignment:

• After the discussion, students write a persuasive letter to President Roosevelt (from the perspective of an American citizen or politician) urging him to pass a particular reform, using evidence from The Jungle and Roosevelt’s policies.

Lesson 4: Writing a Persuasive Essay on Presidential Roles and Decision-Making

• Objective: Students will write a persuasive essay analyzing the actions of a President through the lens of their roles.

Activities:

1. Review Essay Structure
   
   • Discuss the structure of a persuasive essay (introduction, body paragraphs, counterarguments, conclusion).
   • Discuss the importance of using historical evidence and quotes from public domain works to support claims.
2. Essay Prompt:
   
   • Choose one of the following prompts for a persuasive essay:
     • How did President Lincoln exemplify the role of "chief executive" during the Civil War? Use evidence from The Gettysburg Address and the Emancipation Proclamation.
     • Analyze how FDR’s role as "chief diplomat" influenced his decisions during World War II. Use evidence from his speeches and actions related to foreign policy.
     • How does JFK’s Inaugural Address reflect the President's role as "chief of state"? Analyze the speech’s impact on public morale and national unity.
3. Writing Time:
   
   • Students begin drafting their essays, focusing on clearly articulating their thesis and supporting it with evidence from public domain works.

Homework:

• Continue drafting the essay. Bring a rough draft to the next class for peer review.

Lesson 5: Peer Review and Final Edits

• Objective: Students will review each other's essays and provide constructive feedback.

Activities:

1. Peer Review Session:
   
   • Students exchange drafts with a classmate and provide feedback on clarity, thesis development, and evidence.
   • Use a peer review rubric to guide the feedback process.
2. Final Edits and Reflection:
   
   • After receiving peer feedback, students revise their essays, focusing on strengthening their arguments and improving their writing.

Homework:

• Submit the final draft of the essay for evaluation.

Assessment:

• Formative Assessments:
  
  • Participation in group discussions and writing exercises.
  • Analyzing presidential speeches and actions through guided questions.
• Summative Assessment:
  
  • Persuasive essay on presidential roles and decision-making.
  • Rubric-based evaluation of the final essay, focusing on argument clarity, evidence use, and historical analysis.

Resources:

• Gettysburg Address (Abraham Lincoln)
• The Emancipation Proclamation (Abraham Lincoln)
• The Jungle (Upton Sinclair)
• Day of Infamy (FDR)
• Inaugural Address (John F. Kennedy)

This workshop integrates reading, analysis, and writing skills, using public domain works to deepen students' understanding of presidential roles