Speech: Propaganda Unit
Commercial Assignment and Grading Rubric
Background Research Directions: Can you believe it? I’m giving you an
assignment to watch television. Don’t get too excited: you are, hopefully,
going to learn something about persuasion. Propaganda is used to persuade
consumers to purchase their products. Using what you’ve learned about the
propaganda techniques, you are going to analyze the commercials you watch.
Analyze at least three commercials, using at least three different
propaganda techniques, using the following guidelines:
1. Description of the product being sold
2. Summary of what the commercial is about
3. Identification of the propaganda technique(s) being used
4. Explanation of how propaganda is used in the commercial
Final Product:
A 2-minute to 4-minute sales pitch / commercial (either recorded or
presented in person) will be the final product of this project/presentation.
Each sales pitch / commercial will advertise a product or service that either
currently does not exist at all or that exists but that you plan to advertise
in a completely different way that it is currently advertised via television
commercials. Students may also feel free to advertise themselves as
candidates for an election or as representatives of an organization that is
recruiting. Creativity is a must!
Requirements:
1. A completed sales outline (see the directions on the next page) is due
prior to approval for your commercial to be presented.
2. The final product (commercial) must be 2-minutes to 4-minutes in length.
All aspects of the project must be appropriate for school.
3. Students may work in small teams of no more than 3 members. All
members of a team must participate equally in the production and
presentation of the commercial. If you need “extras” in your commercial
(people to serve as “background” or people to play a minor role in your
commercial), feel free to recruit others for that purpose. Extras may not
play a major role in the production and/or presentation of the commercial.
4. All commercials must be presented with exemplary eye contact, vocal
variety, energy, and attention to detail. PRACTICE!
Commercial Assignment Sales Outline
SPECIFIC PURPOSE OR CENTRAL IDEA: State in a complete sentence the central idea of
your speech.
PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUE(S): Explain what persuasive / propaganda technique(s) you will
be using and how. Use the terms learned from your study of the available techniques and
explain how you’ll apply them to your product. You must use more than one technique.
INTRODUCTION: Write in complete sentences the opening statements as you plan to give
them. You need to use one of the techniques learned from chapters nine and ten (fact,
story, question, slogan, etc.). Reveal your slogan in the introduction.
COMPANY’S BACKGROUND AND YOUR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: Create a
professional background for yourself and one for the company you are representing in your
commercial. Include the following:
1. your name
2. college attended (if any)
3. degree earned (if any)
4. company name
5. your job in the company
6. your years working for the company
7. how you ended up working at the company
8. how and when the company was started
9. the founder of the company
PURPOSE OF THE PRODUCT: What does it do for the benefit of the consumer? Who is it
for (teens, athletes, elderly, students, professionals, etc.)? Tell us about the product.
EXPLANATION AND/OR DEMONSTRATION: Create specifically how your product does
what it does. There are no “it’s top secret” explanations allowed! If you are demonstrating,
explain what you are going to do. What fabulous words will you use to persuade us?
ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS: What are the advantages and benefits for the consumer?
DISADVANTAGES AND HAZARDS: What are the possible disadvantages and hazards for
the consumer?
PURCHASING DETAILS: Remember, you have to tell us how to purchase your product.
1. cost
2. where can we get it
3. payment plans
4. free offers / special deals
5. telephone number
6. website
CONCLUDING STATEMENTS: Write in complete sentences the closing statements as you
plan to give them. End with a catchy slogan.
THIS SALES SPEECH OUTLINE IS WORTH 50 POINTS!
Commercial Assignment Grading Rubric:
Presenter(s) ________________________________________ Date __________
Product/Service _____________________________________ Time __________
PRODUCT
INTRODUCTION
Product is original,
appropriate, and
entertaining.
COMMENTS:
Introduction captures
attention, has a strong
purpose statement, and
introduces the product
and slogan.
COMMENTS:
_______ / 5 pts.
_______ / 10 pts.
COMMENTS:
BODY:
ORGANIZATION
BODY:
CONTENT
DELIVERY:
EYE CONTACT
DELIVERY:
VOCAL AND
PHYSICAL
CONCLUSION
Main points are
organized well with
strong transitions.
_______ / 10 pts.
Strong persuasive
techniques are utilized
to make the audience
want to purchase the
product being sold.
Presenters make eye
contact most of the time
with the entire audience
and do not read to us.
COMMENTS:
Presenters use good rate,
volume, articulation,
pronunciation,
emphasis, and few or no
vocal fillers. Presenters
use good posture,
gestures, and platform
movement.
Conclusion restates the
purpose, reviews the
product, and ends with
the product’s slogan.
COMMENTS:
_______ / 20 pts.
COMMENTS:
_______ / 10 pts.
_______ / 10 pts.
COMMENTS:
_______ / 10 pts.
COMMENTS:
TIME LIMIT
2-4 minutes minimum
STAGE
PRESENCE
Presenters are energetic,
enthusiastic, relaxed,
and able to get and hold
the audience’s attention.
The product is described
and/or demonstrated
well, and the description
and/or demonstration
are presented efficiently.
VISUAL AID
(description /
demonstration of
product)
_______ / 5 pts.
COMMENTS:
_______ / 10 pts.
COMMENTS:
Total Score: __________ / 100 points possible
Comments:
_______ / 10 pts.