Pitch Your Life

Pitch Your Life: Shark Tank Fair
English IV | SEL x Real-World Persuasion

By Jada Bryan

​OBJECTIVES

 LO : SWBAT practice persuasive speaking, pitch your post-grad plan using ethos, pathos, or logos, and evaluate and reflect on peer pitches.

DOL: Students will reflect on their use of rhetorical strategies and peer feedback by identifying the persuasive appeal used in their pitch, evaluating their performance, and connecting their presentation to personal growth and real-world communication skills.

​Real-World Connection

This reflects real-life experiences that can be valuable for:

• College and job interviews

• Scholarship and grant applications

• Professional networking opportunities
  
  
  

Open Ended

A mentor offers $10,000 to support your future. Convince them in 30 seconds (3 sentences) why they should invest in your future. 

Let's CHAT
​Turn and Talk

Partner A (on the left) will speak first – 1 minute
Partner B (on the right) will respond second – 1 minute

I’ll count you down:
3... 2... 1...
Go!
Be prepared to share out once the timer ends.

Persuasive Appeals

ETHOS (Credibility):

• “I’ve already taken dual credit business classes and run a small online store. I’ve proven I can work hard and stay committed.”

  Question: How does this speaker build trust with their audience? What additional details might strengthen their credibility?

PATHOS (Emotion):

• “Watching my mom work two jobs taught me the value of sacrifice. My dream is to make sure she never has to work that hard again.”

  Question: What emotions does this example appeal to? How does thee author's use of pathos help them connect with their audience?

LOGOS (Logic):

• “The average electrician in Houston earns over $60,000 a year. With a trade certification, I can begin earning without college debt.”

  Question: What logical reasoning is used here? How might this appeal to someone worried about student loans?

Sample Pitch (Model)
Silently read and reflect on the sample pitch.
As you read, identify examples of Ethos, Pathos, and Logos.

Write your responses on the index card provided.
Sentence Stem: The author uses Ethos/Pathos/Logos in his pitch when he states, _________________

"Hi, I’m Jordan. I want to attend culinary school to launch a food truck that fuses Mexican and Korean cuisine. I’ve already catered family events and saved $2,000. I just need support for tuition and licensing. Investing in me means investing in cultural flavor and entrepreneurship."

WELCOME TO THE SHARK TANK FAIR!
The Objective

Your Mission:

• Prepare a 1–2 minute pitch of your post-grad plan.

• Use at least ONE persuasive appeal: Ethos, Pathos, or Logos.

• Practice confidence, clarity, and structure.

WELCOME TO THE SHARK TANK FAIR!
The Planning

Pitch Planning Guide (10 min)
Use these questions to guide your prep:

• What is your plan after graduation?

• Why is it realistic or meaningful?

• What makes YOU the right person to succeed?

• What help/support do you need?

• Which appeal will you use?

Reflection & Whip Around

Choose a question and prepare your answer. When prompted, stand to share. If someone shares an answer similar to yours, quietly sit down.
Only unique responses should remain standing.

• What plans did you find most compelling?

• What persuasive strategies worked best?

• What did you learn about your classmates?

WELCOME TO THE SHARK TANK FAIR!
The Instructions

• Students will rotate the room and present their pitches.

• Partner A pitches while Partner B listens and scores.

• Then, switch roles: Partner B pitches and Partner A scores.

• Each student must visit and be evaluated by at least 5 peers.

• Use the rubric to evaluate each pitch fairly and thoughtfully.

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DOL

Use the sentence stems below to help guide your responses. Answer each question in complete sentences.

How effective do you think your pitch was in persuading your audience?
Consider your tone, clarity, and the strength of your argument.
SS: One thing I did well was...One thing I could improve is...

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What feedback did you receive from your peers?
Was it helpful? How might you improve your pitch based on that feedback?
SS: My peers told me that...This feedback helped me realize...Next time, I will...

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How does your pitch reflect your post-graduation goals and values?
Explain how sharing this out loud helped you think more deeply about your future.
SS: My pitch shows that I care about...It connects to my future plans by...

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Why are persuasive communication skills important beyond the classroom?
Give one real-world example where you might use these skills.
SS: In the real world, persuasive skills are useful when...I might use these skills in situations like...