THOUGHT CONTROL This lesson explores the question “Does the media try to influence the way that we think?” TEKS: 8.13A evaluate the role of media in focusing attention on events and informing opinion on issues OVERVIEW: In this lesson, students will examine actual headlines from various sources, discuss “loaded language”, and examine each headline for evidence of influence. At the end of the lesson, students will be asked to explain their own opinion on media influence. ACTIVITIES: 1. Ask the students to name a few favorites: favorite pizza, favorite sports team, favorite shoes. Then ask, “Why are those your favorites?” Explain that our opinions on things are influenced by other people, things we see on television or hear on the radio, and even by things that we read. 2. Read the first headline with the students. Highlight the words “mentally ill”. Ask the students what those words mean to them. Is the person sick? Able to make good decisions? Dangerous? 3. Do the same thing with the next example. This time, highlight “deranged” and “bat-wielding” Encourage the students to use dictionaries to find the meaning of “deranged” and “wield” if they don’t know them. Ask the same questions: Is the person sick? Able to make good decisions? Dangerous? Point out that both these headlines were about the same incident, but the words may make us feel differently about the person who was shot. This is a good time to review or introduce the words “connotation” and “denotation”. 4. Continue to work as a class, or have the students work in pairs to discuss and complete the remainder of the worksheet. 5. Have students work individually to write their conclusion. Name ______________________________________________________________ Headline Police Shooting of a Mentally Ill Woman Police shoot and kill deranged batwielding woman in Bronx Source New York Times New York Daily News www.vox.com A competent, qualified woman debated a blustery, clueless man. Again. Chicago Cubs Win First World Series Since 1908 RollingStone.com Cubs win! Cubs win! Epic Game 7 victory ends Series curse ESPN (blog) What might the writer want us to think? Professional protesters' riot over Trump's election, attacking bystanders and vandalizing cars, property Fox News A shellshocked Bay Area reacts to Trump election with protests, tears and stunned silence The Mercury News Do you think the media tries to influence readers? Why or why not? Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Why? Click here to see this product .. Click here to see this product
