1. I WILL ASSIGN YOU TO A GROUP TO READ AN ARTICLE THAT IS FOR OR AGAINST THE STUDY OF ROMEO AND JULIET Pro/Con for the inclusion of Romeo & Juliet in 9 th Grade

2. Together with a group of your peers, you will explore an online debate website to gather reasons and evidence for one side of an issue related to Shakespeare and/or Romeo and Juliet. Write down your issue and the website address and take notes in the column for either PRO (in favor of) or CON (against) in the following graphic organizer.

3. http://debatewise.org/debates/109-the-teaching-of- shakespeare-should-be-compulsory http://debatewise.org/debates/682-does-romeo-and-juliet- promote-knife-crime http://www.debate.org/debates/Should-Shakespeare-be- compulsory-in-schools./1/ http://www.debate.org/debates/Shakespeares-works-should- be-abridged-and-enhanced-to-make-them-more-enjoyable/1/ https://bebuckner.wordpress.com/2013/02/06/why-should- shakespeare-continue-to-be-taught-in-school-curriculums/ http://www.britishcouncil.org/blog/we-shouldnt-teach- shakespeare-to-english-learners-false

4. Evaluate the validity of the arguments in the debate by answering the following questions: Is the reasoning valid? Is the evidence relevant and sufficient? Are any of the statements false or illogical? Write down your ISSUE Write down the title of your article Complete a PRO / CON chart Now, use your notes to stage an informal debate about your topic you researched. As you listen to others present, fill in the chart on page 369

5. ON A SEPARATE PIECE OF PAPER, ANSWER THIS QUESTION: SHOULD ALL 9 TH GRADERS STUDY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S ROMEO & JULIET? LIST SEVERAL VALID REASONS TO SUPPORT YOUR POSITION EMPHASIZE LOGOS AND ETHOS. AVOID PATHOS CAREFULLY AVOID ILLOGICAL OR FALSE REASONING Now…take a position!