9922 wish of a lifetime the art of persuasion

Wish of a Lifetime

Ask the students if they were granted one wish of a lifetime, what would it be?
Explain that this wish could be a trip around the world, a fast car, a condo in NY, a small country, enough
money to feed the poor, buy your parents a house, anything. It could be outrageous or simple.
Tell the students that they need to really think of all the reasons why they should be granted this wish.
The answers need to be more than because I want it. Have the students make a list of at least 5 reasons.
 After everyone has written their wish and the reasons, put the students into groups of 3 or 4.
 Each person has to argue (within their group) why they should receive the gift.
 Once all of the arguments have been heard, each group selects the person with the best
argument, and then they have to choose the 2 nd best and the worst.
 Students are allowed to appeal or ask questions why they were not chosen. (This is a speaking
activity, so it’s great to encourage talking.)
 ** The 2nd placed students (from each group) now become the Panel of Peers. Have the Panel
of Peers take a few minutes to determine what their criteria are. This information can be kept
secret or shared with the group. Leave this up to the Panel to decide. The 3 rd placed students sit
out.
 Explain to the first round winners that they can boost their arguments.
 One by one, the first placed students go to the Panel of Peers to plead their case as to why they
should get their wish granted.
 Once the panel hears all the arguments, they make their final decision as to who is granted the
Wish of a Lifetime.
** If you have a large class you can include more stages of elimination, just use the 3 rd place
contestants to judge the first round and then use the 2 nd place contestants to judge the final
round. I have found that the more rounds there are the stronger the arguments become.
Have fun!