Sample Lesson Plan
Profile Unit, Composition I
This is a small, one class lesson plan to integrate into the profile unit which is the second part of the Composition I class at Oklahoma State University. The assignment sheet is also attached for reference.
Introduction to the Profile Unit
Gateway and Introduction
Instructor Preparation: review different media interviews/debates given to small groups. Know the angle of each and what may be considered interesting.
Day 1: Gateway exercise
Outcomes:
-Students will be able to understand and apply “angle” to written and spoken examples. Particularly that “angle” varies from one source to another with any argument.
-Students will be able to differentiate between “angle” and “interesting” in terms of interviews and debates.
-Students will be able to name defining characteristics of the Profile genre such as angle and interesting.
*HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT FROM PREVIOUS CLASS:
-Small groups of 3-4 students.
-Each group will get a sample interview/debate in a different media format (some will get a blog, some a video, podcast, etc.)
-All content will be centered around one particular topic (i.e. Nike's Colin Kaepernick debate/Ariana Grande’s blame for Mac Miller’s death, etc.)
-Groups will come to class prepared to identify the angle, what is interesting, and what sort of approach was used to prove the content’s viewpoint or sway.
-Professor will be available through email.
Small Groups I (5 mins):
-Students will have a few minutes to talk in groups about the homework assignment, agree on the angle, point out interesting facts, and why the piece may be angled the way it is.
Class Discussion I (10 mins):
-Each group will share how their interview attempts “angle” and “interesting”, along with reasons why, and how they decided. Classmates will be allowed to ask questions or comment.
-Examples will be written on the board to compare how discussions about the same topic can be angled differently, even though facts are the same.
-Through the words on the board, students will be able to form their own understanding of key terms.
Small groups II (5 mins):
-In the same small groups, students will discuss how the media piece they were assigned could be angled in a different direction. They will then be asked how the different angle would change the meaning and context of the argument.
Discussion II (15 mins):
-At the board, the instructor will ask each group how the angles change their media pieces. Do they become basically the same as one of the others? Do they all stay unique?
-Similarities?
-Differences?
Mini-Lecture and intro to homework (15 mins):
-Explain “angle” and “interesting/interest” as defined in Merriam-Webster. Give examples of how each can be interpreted.
-Ask students to define “angle” and “interesting” in their own words based on the feedback on the board and the definitions read in class.
Homework assignment:
-Each student will use their definitions from the end of class for the words angle and interesting. Students should use the information and definitions discussed in class as a way to shape his or her own understanding of the terms. Once a student has a working definition of each, he or she should find a media source (blog, podcast, youtube video, print article) that mirrors the definitions.
-For this assignment, the broad topic idea will be Ariana Grande’s blame for Mac Miller’s drug overdose. The media pieces used can cover any range of angle, as long as it meets the definition written by the student.
-Students should bring media pieces to the next class and be prepared to explain their definitions and how they saw them reflected in the piece they found.
DAY 2
Outcomes:
-Students will be able to define “profile”.
-Students will be able to site according to MLA guidelines.
Profile Essay Assignment Sheet (influenced by Kila Knight)
Due date: October 12
Length:4-6 pages
Format: MLA
Basics:
For this essay, you will profile a person, group, or event. Profiles use description, details, and language to give the reader better insight into the topic. Well written profiles use angles to approach the subject. For this assignment, you will approach this profile as if writing for a magazine like the New Yorker or something equally reputable. Therefore, if you are writing a profile about a person, you would want to include important and interesting facts about the person you have interviewed, and how it is important to his or her story.
This assignment does include research. Once you decide who or what you’d like to profile, you will need to contact them and gain information, without simply using the internet. Pro tip: have a list of questions prepared and practiced for your interview, and ask to record it as well, even if it is on your cell phone. Recordings help make the writing process easier.
Key terms to know (according to Merriam-Webster—feel free to add your own definitions):
-Profile: A concise biographical sketch
-Audience: A reading, viewing, or listening public
-Angle: The direction from which someone or something is approached
-Interest: A feeling that accompanies or causes special attention to an object
-Sway: A controlling influence or authority over something
Grading Criteria:
-Focus
-Profiles are clear and focused on a certain topic—context is key, but don’t forget to clarify your main idea!
-Detail
-Sensory details (look, taste, smell, feel, hear) are all extremely important. Along with these, quotes and contextual information will help the reader understand and get to know your subject.
-Angle and Audience
-It’s important to keep your audience in mind at all times—it’s how you can figure out what items are interesting and which aren’t. To help figure out your audience, I suggest reading a few profiles from the New Yorker for a frame of reference.
-Organization
-Transitions and cohesion are very important to keep the audience focused and invested.
-Final Revision
-Make sure the final draft is mostly free of formatting and grammatical errors and should take into account feedback given during peer review and conferences. This does not mean you need to change everything but show that you at least tried to change big issues.