Analyzing Rhetorical Devices for Persuasive Effect in Douglass’s “Reconstruction”

This lesson plan focuses on Douglass’s use of rhetorical devices in arguing his position regarding the political reconstruction of the South after the Civil War. Students will identify the thesis in Douglass’s essay, locate examples of antithesis, parallelism, and alliteration in the text, and analyze how they advance and support his thesis. In studying Douglass’s use of rhetorical devices, students will be better able to explain why “Reconstruction” is an effective and persuasive expository essay.

About This Document

Owl Eyes lesson plans have been developed to meet the demanding needs of today’s educational environment and bridge the gap between online learning and in-class instruction. The main components of each plan include the following:

• An introduction to the text
• A step-by-step guide to lesson procedure
• Previous and following lesson synopses for preparation and extension ideas
• A collection of handouts and worksheets complete with answer keys

Each of these comprehensive, 60-minute plans focus on promoting meaningful interaction, analytical skills, and student-centered activities, drawing from the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts and the expertise of classroom teachers.