Twelve Angry Men (2020)

Lesson 5
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ELA

Unit 9

8th Grade

Lesson 5 of 11

Objective


Analyze how the playwright propels action in the plot. 

Evaluate Juror 8’s persuasion technique based on logic and rational, rather than emotion and gut feeling. 

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose  pp. 22 – 29

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Target Task


Multiple Choice

On p. 26, how does Juror 8 move the plot along? 

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Sample Response

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Which two pieces of evidence best support the answer above?

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Sample Response

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Writing Prompt

On pp. 24 and 25, how is Juror 8’s persuasion technique different than that of Jurors 3 and 10? Make sure to use evidence to support your answer. 

Key Questions


  • On p. 24, Juror 9 tells us that the boy’s friend testified that the defendant did break his knife. Why is this an important testimony?
  • On p. 24, underline one piece of evidence that shows that Juror 3 is thinking with his gut (emotionally), not his brain (rationally). 
  • According to the dialogue on pp. 24 and 25, which jurors may be starting to doubt that the defendant is guilty? List all of them.
  • p. 26 – What is Juror 8 proposing? How does this have the potential to move the plot? (They should mention that the play could end immediately if no one votes not guilty with him.)
  • What impact does Juror 5’s decision have on the plot? 
  • According to the information on p. 27, what is the most likely reason Juror 9 told everyone he changed his vote?
  • On p. 27, Juror 3 claims that the reason he is so “excitable” is because he wants to put “a guilty man in the chair where he belongs.” Do you believe that this is Juror 3’s main motivation for his actions, or is there another reason why he is so adamant about punishing the defendant?

Notes


This lesson links to one of the unit’s essential questions.

Common Core Standards


  • RL.8.3 — Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.

Next

Analyze how the playwright uses Juror 8 to propel action in the plot.

Lesson 6
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