Persuasive Writing/ Debate/ Critical Thinking

Objective: To develop a persuasive argument. To develop critical thinking skills. To develop skills of debate.

Materials: Proverbial Wisdom

Preparation: The teacher will sort out as many pairs of contradictory proverbs as needed and mix them up.

Procedures:

1. Discuss antonyms and opposites and allow students to identify as many pairs of opposites as possible.

2. Either assign or have students select a pair of contradictory proverbs to be used in any of the following activities.
   1. Choose one pair of proverbs for a persuasive writing assignment. The argument should include support for one proverb and rebuttal of the other.

   2. To encourage critical thinking skills in a debate, students will create an argument to support each side of the contradictory pair. Have students choose form a hat which of the two proverbs they will support in a debate. Conduct a debate.

Examples from Proverbial Wisdom of proverbs that contradict:

A. The early bird gets the worm
B. Good things come to those who wait

A. Too many cooks spoil the broth
B. The more the merrier

A. It's never too late to learn
B. You can't teach an old dog new tricks

A. Absence makes the heart grow fonder
B. Out of sight out of mind

A. Look before you leap
B. He who hesitates is lost