7. Write & Goals Check-In
Students will draft an independent argumentative paragraph with paraphrased evidence (one source). Additionally, students will check in on their progress toward their individual writing goals.
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Writing to Persuade or Argue - Paragraph with Paraphrasing
Write & Goals Check-In
Directions: Using the outline, write an independent argumentative paragraph with paraphrased evidence (one source).
Prompt: Should the Von Braun Center be Renamed?
Context: The Von Braun Center, an entertainment complex in Huntsville, Alabama, was named after the late engineer Wehrner Von Braun. The center honors Von Braun’s contributions to space exploration, as he was the lead rocket developer for the Saturn series of rockets that sent men to the moon during the Apollo program. However, prior to working for NASA, Von Braun was the lead rocket designer for the Nazi government and designed the V-2 rocket, which was produced by prisoners in concentration camps and led to thousands of their deaths.
Source: Wernher von Braun and the Nazis
Claim: While Wehner Von Braun’s contributions to American space exploration were significant, his crimes against humanity outweigh his contributions to science. Thus, it is unethical to use his name on a prominent entertainment center in Huntsville.
Evidence 1: Von Braun was a high ranking member of the SS, which rounded up and imprisoned Jews and other enemies of Nazis during Holocaust
Analysis 1: irrelevant whether Von Braun rounded up prisoners himself, as failure to speak out = crime
Evidence 2: Von Braun supervised the production of V-2 rockets in concentration camps where many prisoners died
Analysis 2: Von Braun was aware of inhumane conditions but did nothing
Conclusion: would be a stain on Huntsville to keep center named after Von Braun
Draft
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Answer Key and Teacher Resources
Answer Key
Draft:
While Wehner Von Braun’s contributions to American space exploration were significant, his crimes against humanity outweigh his contributions to science. Thus, it is unethical to use his name on a prominent entertainment center in Huntsville. Before working for NASA, Von Braun was a high ranking member of the SS—the group that would round up Jews and other enemies of the Nazi regime and incarcerate them in concentration camps during the Holocaust. It is irrelevant whether Von Braun rounded up prisoners himself, as his failure to speak out against the atrocities of the Holocaust are crime enough. Moreover, Von Braun supervised the production of V-2 rockets, which were made by prisoners in concentration camps, thousands of whom died. Once again, Von Braun was aware of the inhumane conditions at the concentration camps, and yet, did nothing about it. Given the severity of Von Braun’s crimes, keeping his name attached to one of the most important buildings in the city would be a stain on Huntsville.
Recommendations for Instruction:
Using their outline from the previous lesson, students write a draft paragraph.
As students are working, teacher conferences with students about their progress toward their current writing goal. If a student has met their goal, teacher sets a new goal with that student. If a student has not met their goal, teacher gives the student feedback on how to apply their goal to their current piece of writing.