Original PromptOverview
Is Jack a hero who saved his mother from poverty, or is he a thief and a trespasser who stole from a homeowner? In this Argument Writing task, you will step into the role of a Legal Council member. You must choose a side—Prosecution(The Giant’s Estate) or Defense (Jack)—and draft a formal Opening Statement for our upcoming Mock Trial.
Learning Targets & Standards
W.6.1: I can write an argument to support a claim with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
W.6.1.B: I can support my claim
This learning resource focuses on engaging students in a mock trial format where they will argue the guilt or innocence of Jack from the fairy tale 'Jack and the Beanstalk.' Students will select a role as either the prosecution or defense and structure an argumentative opening statement backed by text evidence. Key legal vocabulary is defined, such as prosecution, defense, evidence, and verdict, to guide students in their roles. The resource outlines steps for drafting the opening statement, including the use of a hook, claim, evidence, and closing summary. Additionally, students will assess their drafts against specific criteria to ensure clarity, use of text evidence, logical reasoning, and adherence to a professional tone. Finally, there is a feedback section for teacher evaluation and approval for presentation.