Introduction
by Christy Hendrickson, Northwest High School
Superbowl commercials. Sports ads. Magazine images. Political cartoons. All of these mediums are used to persuade a target audience to purchase a product, root for a certain group, vote for a specific candidate.
Students will use this WebQuest to be introduced to different types of propaganda and how they are used to persuade. How has propaganda been used in the past? How is it used today and is it effective? What appeals are predominately used?
Task
Propaganda is used everyday in music, on TV, on the radio, and in politics. Advertisers use different forms of propaganda to appeal to your sense of logic, emotions, or morals to perusade you to purchase a product, support a cause, or choose a candidate.
Our school is one filled with pride and purpose. Everyday we strive to Ring The Bell as we reach to achieve excellence in the classroom and on the playing field. Your mission is to create a new school motto that adequately showcases that pride using at least two methods of propaganda and one persuasion (rhetorical) device. You will introduce your motto by either a four square commercial storyboard or a one-page print ad.
Process
1. Before you begin creating your propaganda piece, it will be helpful to look through the sites listed below. They offer definitions for the term "propaganda" as well as explanations for the various types/kinds of propaganda and how they have been used in the past. For example, some propaganda is language based while others are image based. You can use the following links to investigate several different kinds of propaganda. For now, focus on the following four types:
Glittering Generalities
Fear
Bandwagon
Testamonials
Sites:
http://www.propagandacritic.com/
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Propaganda_techniques
2. Next, investigate the three types of rhetorical devices those techniques appeal to. They are listed here:
Ethos - Ethical appeal, or the appeal to your sense of right and wrong; appeal from someone/something you trust or is credible
Pathos - Emotional appeal
Logos - Logical appeal
Examples of these appeals in action:
Pathos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NvSgrxp8Yg
Ethos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14y3D6AJbn8
Logos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuu19ux51wA
3. Once you understand what propaganda actually is and how it can be used, create a new school motto showcasing our pride and purpose in the classroom and on the playing field. You can use the site below for inspiration, but your final product must be an original creation.
Site for inspiration:
https://www.google.com/search?q=propaganda+posters&hl=en&lr=+sa=x&oi=images&ct=title&tbm=isch
4. Finally, analyze the effectiveness of your propaganda piece. This will help the class and me provide an accurate evaluation of your work. Use the outline below to organize your analysis and hand it in with your finished product.
a. Briefly describe the piece.
b. What was the purpose of the piece?
c. What types of propaganda were used? Which rhetorical device did you use?
1. 1st technique:
2. 2nd technique:
3. rhetorical device:
d. Why is it effective?
Evaluation
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4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
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Required Elements
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All of the elements required are included. All of the questions are answered fully and exhibit a thoughtful analysis of the piece.
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All of the elements required are included. Some of the questions are answered but they do not exhibit a thoughtful analysis of the piece. |
Most of the elements required are included. Some of the questions are answered but they do not exhibit a thoughtful analysis of the piece. |
Very few of the elements required are included. Few, if any, of the questions are answered. |
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Relevance of Graphics/Messages |
All graphics/ messages are related to the school and increase the appeal and understanding of the project.
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Most graphics/ messages are related to the school and those increase the appeal and understanding of the project. |
Some graphics/ messages are related to the school and at times interfere with the appeal and understanding of the project. |
Few, if any, of the graphics/messages are related to the school. Often these graphics interfere with the appeal and understanding of the project. |
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Grammar /Spelling
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There are no grammatical or spelling mistakes. The language is sophisticated and appropriate for a high school English class. |
There are one to two mistakes in grammar and/or spelling that do not interfere with understanding. The language is appropriate. |
There are three to four mistakes in grammar and/or spelling that occasionally interfere with understanding. The language is simple and/or somewhat inappropriate. |
There are five or more mistakes in grammar and/or spelling that often interfere with understanding. The language is simple and/or often inappropriate. |
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Creativity /Effort
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The information is presented in an unusually creative way that took obvious time and effort.
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The information is presented in an appropriate fashion with some creativity. Time and effort is average. |
The information is presented in an appropriate fashion with little creativity. Time and effort is below average. |
The information is presented in an inappropriate fashion and/or shows a distinct lack of creativity. Little time or effort was made.
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Conclusion
Conclusion
Congratulations! Thanks to your efforts, our school can have a new motto that perfectly describes our pride and purpose.
But are you truly an expert in the art of propaganda? Follow the site below and see how propaganda in advertisements influences you...
http://pbskids.org/dontbuyit/advertisingtricks/whatsinanad.html
Credits
Portions of this WebQuest were adapted from Propaganda in Orwell's Animal Farm by Vicky McAuley, Suny New Paltz. Original quest found on Questgarden.
Permissions
We all benefit by being generous with our work. Permission is granted for others to use and modify this WebQuest for educational, non-commercial purposes as long as the original authorship is credited. The modified WebQuest may be shared only under the same conditions. See the Creative Commons Attribution • Non-Commercial • Share-Alike license for details.
Teacher Page
Propaganda is used everyday in music, on TV, on the radio, and in politics. Advertisers use different forms of propaganda to appeal to a person's sense of logic, emotions, or morals to perusade him or her to purchase a product, support a cause, or choose a candidate.
Schools are filled with pride and purpose in the classroom and on the playing fiel. The students' mission is to create a new school motto that adequately showcases that pride using at least two methods of propaganda and one persuasion (rhetorical) device on either a four square commercial storyboard or a one-page print ad.
TEKS:
(10) (A), (B)
(12) (A), (B)
(13) (A), (B), (C), (D), (E)
(24) (A), (B), (C)
(25)
(26)