Name ______Period ______

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a DRONE!!

In this lesson, you will investigate the uses of drones and write an argument text that expresses your opinion about drones.

Using or similar site, form a definition for the word “drone.” Write down your definition and compare it the definitions of your classmates. Write the definition in your own words that will clearly distinguish the topic of your paper.

Let’s Explore:

I have provided you with 5 articles and 1 video for your research. As we read the articles, you will add Pros & Cons to your Venn diagram. To access these materials go to

  1. Start with NewselaDrones- Drones: Fun or Dangerous? Drones are fun, drones are popular, but drones can also be dangerous. What is your initial opinion of drones? Discuss your reaction with a classmate.

Now we will begin a pro and con list for your investigation of drones. From your discussion so far, list the positive and negative aspects of drones in your experience. This diagram will help you organize your thoughts for your argument paper. Please look at various aspects, in terms of positive or negative, such as:

financial costs

privacy

safety

  1. Now we will watch the video of New York City taken from a drone. Think about the ability of drones to capture images and landscapes. How does the drone assist a tour of the city? Would a person on the ground notice the same things that the drone pocks up? How could the images be used to show the city’s features?
  1. Read the article from National Geographic showing interesting uses for drones. Keep adding to your pro and con list using details from the article. What idea is the most interesting/ cool/ useful to you? Can you think of a way drones would be used in your community?
  1. Spend some time reading the student special reports on drones and national security. There are many articles here. Choose at least 3 to review. Are drones a help or a hindrance to national security? How could drones be used to secure the nation? Develop your pro and con list further from what you’ve read in these articles.
  1. The Huffington Post has a collection of articles that talk about military usage of drones. Browse through these articles and make notes of pros and cons on your list. Is military use of drones more ethical or practical than conventional warfare? Why or why not?

Let’s Write:

Take your pro and con list as a basis for your argument writing assignment. Look at overlapping areas, where drones could be either beneficial or detrimental. Select the details that interest you and determine your opinion on drones: pro or con?

From the notes you have made and your pro/con list, write an introductory paragraph that ends with a strong thesis statement. Thesis statements guide the direction of your paper. Quality introductory paragraphs will interest the reader and direct the reader to the main points that the paper will discuss.

Concentrate on three points your paper will make to support your pro or con argument. Develop these points into strong, well-supported, interesting paragraphs. Be sure to cite your resources as you work. Use extra paper if necessary.

Find a classmate and switch papers. In your peer review, discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each other’s introductory paragraphs. What changes could be made to improve each supporting paragraph? In the following box, tell me who you worked with and 2 suggestions for improvement you were given.

Time to Type:

After you peer review, open Microsoft Word. Click File, Save As.

Save the document in your userdrive. Name it LASTNAMEDrone.

Use Times New Roman size 11 font to type your paper. Margins are set at 1 inch all around. Your paper should be at least 1 page long.

Include a header with your first and last name, as well as class period. To do this, click Insert, Header, and choose Blank, 3 column. If you’re actually reading this, type Drone in the middle column. Your other non-reading classmates will probably have a blank middle column.

Type your introductory paragraph, as well as, your three supporting paragraphs, your counter argument paragraph, and concluding paragraphs.

Your grade is based on grammar/mechanics, details supported from articles, a well-supported thesis, and clear conclusion: pro or con.