Clash of the Titans, Grade 11

8. PERSUASIVE WRITING

Objective: Students will write a persuasive paper opposing or defending Booker T. Washington's educational philosophy.

Subjects: Social Studies and English

Materials: Research books, internet, paper, pencil, Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington; The Wizard of Tuskegee by Louis R. Harlan; Booker T. Washington and the Adult Education Movement by Virginia Lantz Denton.

Procedure:

  1. Have students research Booker T. Washington's educational philosophies.

  2. Questions to consider:
          A. What was Washington's educational philosophy?
          B. How much of Washington's educational philosophy was a product of the times?
          C. What influence did the school being located in the South have on Washington's philosophies,           if any?
          D. Why did others of his race such as W.E.B. Du Bois and William Monroe Trotter oppose           Washington in his work?
          E. Did Washington's educational philosophy benefit other African Americans? How?
          F. Why did many white Americans, North and South, agree with Washington's ideas?

  1. Have half of the class write a persuasive paper defending Booker T. Washington's educational philosophies. Have half of the class write a persuasive paper opposing Booker T. Washington's educational philosophies.


NPS Arrowhead

Booker T. Washington National Monument
12130 Booker T. Washington Highway
Hardy, Virginia  24101