Lesson Plan #1
Propaganda in advertisements
Date to be taught: February 7th, 2012
Grade Level: 8
Lesson Plan Curriculum Objective
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Grade 8 Reading Process: Concepts of Print, Comprehension strategies, and
self-monitoring strategies #2- Answer literal, inferential, evaluative and
synthesizing questions to demonstrate comprehension of grade –appropriate
print texts and electronic media
Grade 8: Reading Applications: Informational, technical, and persuasive text
#5 Assess the adequacy and appropriateness of an author’s details,
identifying persuasive techniques and examples of bias and stereotyping.
Grade 8: Reading Applications: Informational, technical, and persuasive text
# 6- Identify the author’s purpose and intended audience for the text
Instructional Strategies
Bell work: (5 min)
Students will work on the slogan bell work.
Lead: (5 min)
If you had to guess, how many advertisements do you think we are exposed to everyday?
According to Jay Walker-Smith, the President of the Marketing Firm Yankelovich, we are
exposed to as many as 5,000 ads a day (CBS News).
These are some of the slogans that are used to make us remember their products.
Go over the slogan worksheet
Transition: Today we are going to learn about some of the techniques used in the commercials we
are exposed to everyday.
Procedure 1: Lecture (20 min)
Read definitions from the PowerPoint and clarify meaning with students.
Procedure 2: Class Discussion (10 min)
I will show students the commercial examples. As a class we will discuss the techniques used in
the ad.
World of Warcraft- Bandwagon and Testimonial
Mac vs. PC- Name Calling and compare and contrast
Head on- repetition
Rogaine- transfer
McDonalds- glittering generalities
Axe angels- Faulty Cause and effect
Procedure 3: (5 min)
Explain that for extra credit students can write a paragraph explaining what techniques were
used in a their favorite super bowl add. They need to provide me with the name to search for it
on YouTube and a paragraph explaining the add technique.
Closure (possibly including Assessment)
Explain that understanding these techniques can help us to better understand the ads we see
every day and be able to make informed decisions about the things we buy.
Assessment
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Students will be evaluated by their responses during the class discussion
Students will be evaluated through the extra credit by their identification of
propaganda techniques
Materials needed
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Propaganda guided notes
Slogan bell work
PowerPoint
YouTube links
Propaganda assignment
Materials:
Propaganda Techniques Notes
Questions/Key Facts
Propaganda:
Intended audience:
Answers
A way of manipulating people using images and words to
achieve a desired effect or outcome
The group of people that the advertising is “aimed” at
What are some
propaganda techniques?
1. __________________
This technique tries to persuade everyone to join in and do the same
thing.
Ex. ______________________________________
2. __________________
An important person or famous figure endorses a product.
Ex. ______________________________________
3. __________________
Good feelings, looks, or ideas are transferred to the person for
whom the product is intended.
Ex. __________________________________________
4. __________________
The product name or keyword or phrase is repeated several times.
Ex. __________________________________________
5. __________________
Use of words and images that generally carry a favorable meaning to
everyone.
Ex. ___________________________________________
6. __________________
Negative words are used to create an unfavorable opinion of the
competition in the viewer’s mind.
Ex. ____________________________________________
7. __________________
Use of a product is cause for creating a positive result.
Ex. ____________________________________________
8. __________________
The viewer is led to believe that one product is better than the
other, although no real proof is offered
Ex. ______________________________________________
Many commercials also
use:
_________- a short, catchy, musical verse
_________- a distinctive cry, phrase, or motto of any party, group,
manufacturer, or person; catchword or catch phrase
Examples:
Just do it
Like a good neighbor
Betcha can’t eat just one
Commercial
World of Warcraft:
Chuck Norris
Answers
Techniques:
Intended Audience:
Get a Mac- Stuffed
Techniques:
Intended Audience:
Axe Excite
Techniques:
Intended Audience:
Rogaine
Techniques:
Intended Audience:
Head On
Techniques:
Intended Audience:
McDonalds
Techniques:
Intended Audience:
BAND-AID
Techniques:
Intended Audience:
Super Bowl Commercial
Extra Credit
Mrs. Dunlap
Choose one Super Bowl Commercial to analyze using the propaganda techniques we discussed
in class. To receive credit for this assignment you must:
 Choose a commercial from the 2012 Super Bowl and watch it.
 Determine the propaganda techniques used in the commercial and the
intended audience.
 Write one paragraph describing the technique, how it is used, and the
intended audience of the commercial. If you would like, you may use the
bottom of this paper to write your paragraph. Make sure that it is legible!
 Along with the paragraph, you must include the name of the commercial as it
appears on the website that you found it on and the web address so that I can
watch it.
Points: _____/10
Due: Monday, February 13th, 2012