Lesson plan header

Units April 12, 2022

How Language Becomes Law

Lesson Summary: Students use rhetorical analysis skills to reflect on the media backlash to The 1619 Project and connect political media rhetoric to current anti-critical race theory (CRT) legislation. Downloads: Unit resources
SECTIONS


This unit was created by the Kensington Health Sciences Humanities Team, as part of the 2021 cohort of The 1619 Project Education Network. It is designed for facilitation across approximately ten 70–to-85-minute lessons.

Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • Identify rhetorical devices commonly used in political media
  • Analyze political media and communication for effectiveness
  • Connect media narratives to lawmaking
  • Write a letter to a state representative or create an Instagram campaign evaluating anti-CRT legislation in their state

Unit Overview

The 1619 Project was released to immediate backlash from conservative lawmakers and media. This unit asks students to reflect on the media backlash to the project and connect political media rhetoric to current anti-critical race theory (CRT) legislation.

Students will ask and answer questions on the media’s significance in crafting narratives that become law. They will also practice skills of rhetorical analysis.

Performance Task

In the culminating project, students will write a letter to their state lawmakers or create an Instagram campaign evaluating current anti-CRT legislation in their state and its relationship to the truth. In order to demonstrate full understanding of the media literacy aspect of the unit, students will include evidence of media in their letter that they believe influenced the law.

LESSON PLAN SURVEY

Please help us understand your needs better by filling out this brief survey!

Will you use this lesson plan in a class you teach?
By sharing your email address, you are opting in to receive updates from the Pulitzer Center Education team.