Orator Lab’s Issue Based Writing Class
10 Weeks
This syllabus is for Orator Lab’s new 10-week issue-based writing class.
Each class introduces a different UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).
Students will be introduced to causes, consequences, and solutions to each
goal. The curriculum will incorporate articles and activities from the UN and
teaching resources from the Global Schools Program and the SDG Academy.
Students will write many different styles of essays based on the specific SDG
covered that week. The final class will have a time writing essay prompt in-
class.
Week 1- Introduction to global issues and issue-based writing
What is issue-based writing?
How to write good informative and persuasive essays?
What are global issues? What makes a good global citizen?
Prompt: What global issue do I care most about? Why? What can I do
about it?
The UN Sustainable Development Goals
Week 2- No Poverty
What is poverty?
What are the consequences of poverty?
What can individuals and governments do to prevent poverty?
Prompt: Provide two examples of poverty in the city you live. What can
be done at the local level to address these examples of poverty?
Would giving money directly to these people living in poverty fix their
problems?
Week 3- Zero Hunger
What are the main causes of food insecurity?
What are the consequences of food insecurity?
What can individuals and countries do to help solve food insecurity?
Prompt: Should wealthy countries be required to help feed poor
countries?
Week 4- Good Health and Well-being
What are the major global health issues?
What are the main causes of global health problems?
How should countries work together during a global health crisis?
Prompt: Pick any country. Explain how they should respond to the next
global pandemic.
Week 5- Quality Education
What are the main issues that students face in terms of the quality of
their education?
What are the common barriers to education?
Why is quality education so important?
Prompt: What are three barriers to girls’ access to education? How do
you think the world can combat these barriers?
Week 6- Clean Water and Sanitation
Why is clean water not available to everyone?
How does poor water quality impact health and daily life?
What role does technology play in solving water problems?
Prompt: (Video) Do you agree or disagree with the popular influencer
Mr. Beast’s attempts to bring clean water to Africa? Why or why not?
Week 7- Affordable and Clean Energy
What are the differences between fossil fuels and renewable energy?
Why are clean energies needed?
What can governments do to increase clean energy?
Prompt: What are your energy consumption patterns? What does your
ecological footprint look like? How can you change your daily life to
reduce your energy consumption?
Week 8- Responsible Consumption and Production
What does sustainable consumption mean?
What responsibilities to the environment do consumers and producers
have?
What are the benefits of sustainable consumption?
Prompt: Does your country have established infrastructure to help
people recycle their garbage? Evaluate how garbage collection is
efficient or not efficient. Are recycling and garbage collection policies
the same across your country? Or, how are they different? (Provide at
least two examples)
Week 9- Climate Action
Are human responsible for climate change or is it just natural
variation?
What are the potential consequences of climate change?
What can individuals do to slow the rate of climate change?
Prompt: Write an informative flyer or poster explaining the climate
change issue. Suggest actions the reader should take.
Week 10- Final Class
Timed-writing assignment in class
Prompt: What global issue do I care most about? Why? What can I do
about it?