Unit Activity Lesson Plans

Introduction
Students have learned the basics and purposes of persuasive writing. In this lesson, they will read an example of persuasive writing from an outside source.

Lesson Description
Students will read an example of persuasive writing, Adlai Stevenson's classic veto of the Cat Bill from 1949.

Instructional Objectives

1. Students will be required to demonstrate their reading comprehension skills by answering questions about the reading.
2. Students will demonstrate their understanding of the basic features of persuasive writing and will apply that understanding.

Student Web Activity Answers

1. Stevenson's main point is that he is vetoing the bill.
2. Stevenson's opinion is mostly supported by personal observation of the nature of cats. Although he could have supplied statistics, facts, or observations by experts, it was not necessary. His evidence relies on common sense, and thus his argument is very effective.
3. Stevenson imagines that "we may be called upon to take sides as well in the age-old problems of dog versus cat, bird versus bird, or even bird versus worm." This imagined effect of putting the bill into law clearly demonstrates the sensibility of his opinion, reveals Stevenson's dry humor, and implies the folly of the bill.
4. Answers will vary.

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