1. Alanna G.
Writing Seminar I Lesson Plan Draft: “Learning to Read”
I. Goal
 Upon completion of lesson students will:
i. understand that there are multiple types of literacies, specifically verbal
literacy.
ii. Understand the importance of sources
iii. Understand the importance of diction
II. Rationale
 Learning Outcomes addressed: 2,4,5, and 6
 I am doing this unit to explain the differences between visual and aural verbal literacies
and how they impact each other and the communication between others. I also wanted
to show the importance of word choice, be it in everyday conversation or within a piece
of academic writing. The activity assigned aims to encourage students to critically think
about diction and how it can affect their life.
III. Materials
 Projector
 Speakers
 Computer
 Students need laptops
 Internet access
 Screen
 Chalkboard and chalk
 Textbook
IV. Step-by-Step Process
 Discuss reading and collect reading response (10 min)
 Micro-Lecture (10 minutes)
i. On text
ii. A bit about Malcolm X
iii. Verbal Literacies- Ask “What do you think about when you hear the word
literacy?
1. Visual- what most folks think of
2. Aural, or Auditory
 Refer to text (2 minutes)
 Show clip from “Malcolm X” (1992) (3 minutes)
i. Anecdote about “brown”
 In-Class Writing (15 minutes)
i. Think of a common word that you use every day, or one that you think is over
used. Write it down. Ex. brown
ii. Now, write down what you think it is—that means *your* personal definition.

2. iii. Next, take out your dictionary (dictionary.com or OED) and look up the word.
Write down the first two (2) or (3) definitions.
iv. Compare your definition with those of the dictionary. How similar or dissimilar
are they? How does knowing the “true” meaning of a word affect its usage? Will
you change how you use the word?
 Ask a few students about their words and wrap up lesson (5 minutes)
i. Indicate the importance of visual verbal literacy and its impact upon aural verbal
literacy
 Who has the power? The importance of sources essay (5 minutes)
i. You have looked up the definition of your word in the assigned dictionary. For
next class, look up your word in a different dictionary, such as
urbandictionry.com
ii. Record their definition. For next class, in a 2-3 page essay compare the
definitions from the three source. Explain how the definition changes from
source to source, and why you think it does. Use the in-class activity as an aid.
V. Evaluation
 I will evaluate my teaching via the student responses within content of the essay to be
assigned at the end of class. I will also take students’ comments into consideration
during the discussion following the completion of the in-class writing activity.