Lesson Four: Writing a Diplomatic Toast

• Worksheet: Toast Preparation Form
• Video from State Dinner with President Hu of China (January 19, 2011)

Activity 1. The Purpose of a Diplomatic Toast

To introduce students to the concept of a toast, show them a clip of President Obama toasting President Hu Jintao of China at a state dinner on January 19, 2011. While students watch, ask them to consider the following questions:

• How does President Obama celebrate Chinese culture?
• How does President Obama celebrate American culture?
• What connections does President Obama make between China and the United States?
• What do you think is the objective of this toast?

Activity 2. Writing a Diplomatic Toast

Students break up into their empire groups and use the worksheet to begin writing their own toast. Students refer to the graphic organizer from the intelligence briefings and their document analysis to identify key details to include in their toasts.

Ask each group to state what they learned from composing their diplomatic toast.