Cancel Culture: Argument Essay

Ask a student about "Cancel Culture," and you will get an earful. Through Instagram Influencers' shade, YouTube standoffs, Snapchat snapbacks, and TikTok tiffs, media-savvy teens are experts and can teach you a thing or two about Cancel Culture.

This comprehensive lesson set features Helen Lewis's thought-provoking essay from The Atlantic, "How Capitalism Drives Cancel Culture." The essay is behind a paywall.

The packet includes interactive resources such as links to NPR audio clips, New York Times articles, and informative videos to provide diverse perspectives. Additionally, it offers dynamic classroom activities and strategies, such as close reading and annotation of the central text, SOAPSTone Analysis, and a Socratic Seminar, to foster critical thinking and dialogue.

Writing components challenge students to write short responses and a full-length rhetorical analysis or argument essay, scored with the 6-point AP English Language Composition rubric. Guided instructions are provided for crafting complex thesis statements, and student samples and frameworks are provided for developing a nuanced argument essay on personal stances regarding Cancel Culture. Assessment tools include two scored student sample essays to model excellence in argumentative writing.

This lesson set has extensive educational outcomes. Students will gain a deep understanding of Cancel Culture and its implications within the context of capitalism. It also enhances critical analysis, argumentation, and rhetorical writing skills in alignment with Common Core standards. The package prepares students for advanced placement tests and discussions on social justice, promoting anti-racist teaching practices and equity. This lesson set is specifically for educators looking for resources that support digital learning and engage students in meaningful societal debates. Additionally, it is suitable for teachers aiming to include social justice themes in their teaching to cultivate an inclusive and critical classroom environment.For more engaging resources and lessons for Language Arts, Social studies, and secondary teachers, please visit our website at Sunflower Curriculum.