Discourse Objective Students will understand and analyze a written text as connected discourse, recognizing how sentences and paragraphs are coherently linked to convey meaning and achieve a unified purpose.
Materials Copies of a selected text (e.g., a short story, article, or essay) Whiteboard and markers Projector and screen (if available) Handouts with key terms and examples Highlighters and pens
Duration 1 hour
Lesson Outline Introduction (10 minutes)
1. Greeting and Objective Overview:
Begin the lesson by greeting students and providing an overview of the day's objective: understanding written text as connected discourse. 2. Quick Discussion: Ask students what they understand by "connected discourse." Write down their responses on the board and introduce the concept formally: Connected discourse refers to the way sentences and paragraphs are linked together to form a coherent and meaningful text.
Presentation (15 minutes)
1. Key Concepts: Explain that connected discourse involves various elements like cohesion, coherence, and structure. Cohesion: Discuss how sentences are linked using conjunctions, pronouns, and transitional phrases. Coherence: Describe how ideas logically follow each other to form a clear and logical flow. Structure: Review the importance of text organization (beginning, middle, end) and paragraph structure (topic sentence, supporting details, conclusion). 2. Examples: Provide examples of cohesive devices (e.g., "however," "furthermore," "because") and demonstrate their use in connecting ideas. Show an example paragraph and highlight cohesive devices and logical flow.
Guided Practice (15 minutes)
1. Text Analysis: Distribute a short text to students. Lead a group reading, pausing to identify and discuss examples of cohesion and coherence. Highlight sentences and sections that contribute to the overall structure and unity of the text. 2. Group Activity: Divide students into small groups and assign each group a paragraph from the text. Ask them to identify cohesive devices, coherence elements, and the paragraph's role in the text's structure. Groups will present their findings to the class.
Independent Practice (10 minutes)
1. Individual Exercise: Provide students with a new short text or paragraph. Instruct them to annotate the text, identifying cohesive devices, coherence, and structural elements. 2. Reflection: Ask students to write a short reflection on how recognizing connected discourse helps improve their understanding of texts.
Conclusion (10 minutes)
1. Recap: Summarize the lesson’s key points, emphasizing the importance of connected discourse in understanding and analyzing texts. 2. Q&A: Allow students to ask questions or express any points of confusion. 3. Homework Assignment: Assign a short essay or article for students to read at home, instructing them to annotate and prepare to discuss its connected discourse in the next class.
Assessment
Observe group activities and presentations for understanding.
Review individual exercises for correct identification of connected discourse elements. Evaluate homework for comprehension and application of concepts.
This lesson plan aims to equip students with the skills to critically read and analyze texts, enhancing their ability to comprehend and engage with written discourse effectively.
