Media and Persuasion
Unit Plan
Lorissa Kelly
Charlene Yarger
TE 810
April 23, 2012
UNK
Table of Contents:
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Standards
List of materials
Schedule of Unit/Teaching strategies
WebQuest-Media
Media and Persuasion PowerPoint
Handouts to be used with PowerPoint
 Media and Persuasion handout with lines
 Media and Persuasion handout with answers
Discussion (5 pages)
Persuasive Ad Project
 Student Example
Assessment
Additional information
Media and Persuasion
This Unit covers the following Tennessee Standards:
 SPI 3002.5.5 Select the persuasive device (i.e. bandwagon, loaded words,
testimonial, & misuse of statistics).
 CFU 3002.5.11 Identify and analyze persuasive devices that are used in written
and oral communication.
 CLE 3002.5.5 Analyze written and oral communication for persuasive devices.
List of Materials Needed for Unit:
Computer with Internet Access
Printed handouts for PowerPoint
Printed materials for Discussion Lesson
Creative materials for Persuasive Ad Project:
 Construction paper or copy paper
 Scissors
 Glue
 Magazines to be cut up for pictures and ad examples
 Markers
 Colored pencils
Schedule
Teacher Strategy
 Day 1: WebQuest: designed to be
 The teacher will monitor student
done individually by each student
progress through the WebQuest and
so they are familiar with the
will be available to answer any
differences in print and non-print
questions the student may have as
media. Ads and commercials are
he/she progresses through the
unique to each type of media. It has
WebQuest.
the option to review various ads if
students need reteaching
opportunities.
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Day 2: Media and Persuasion
PowerPoint: This PowerPoint is
introducing four persuasive
techniques and shows how these
techniques are used in ads and
commercials of various types. It
has the option to review various ads
if students need reteaching options.
A handout is available to use with
this PowerPoint for the purpose of
taking notes. More information
about each technique can be found
under Additional Information.
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This PowerPoint designed to be used
individually, but it could also be used
in a classroom setting in a teacher led
classroom.
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Day 3: A discussion lesson:
designed to expose students to
commercials in different types of
media and how each of these types
affect the effectiveness of the
various commercials
Day 4: After learning the various
types of persuasive techniques,
students will choose a product and
create an ad for their product. This
ad will include four persuasive
devices. Various other creative
ideas can be found under Additional
Information.
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The teacher will give some examples
in class then the students will do some
group work using the persuasive
strategies and media types they have
learned about.
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Teacher model. Students create
original product.
Day 5: Assessment
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The assessment will be the avenue for
the teacher to determine if the students
have understood and internalized the
concepts presented in the unit.
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Media and Persuasion PowerPoint Notes
Fill in the blanks using information from the PowerPoint presentation.
Techniques: An author may use ____________ techniques to strengthen a
____________ argument:
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Bandwagon: A persuasive ____________that tries to convince the prospective
customer to purchase the product—Somehow conveying the idea of “Everyone’s
doing it!” and is trying to ____________ you that you should too.
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Testimonial: A ____________ celebrity endorses a product and says, “This is the
best [product] I’ve ever used.”
o Using someone ____________ to endorse a product causes people to want
to use products celebrities use. We think we can be ____________ like
them if we use the product.
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Loaded Words: Words used in an ad to create ____________ feelings and
emotions—this is also referred to as emotional ____________in some cases
o Emotions in ____________ can be as varied as love, fear (scare tactics),
happiness, sadness, and also ____________ peer pressure.
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Misuse of Statistics: Statistics are ____________. When numbers are used in ads
in ways that are not entirely ____________ or are not backed by evidence, they
are misused.
o For example: “99% more effective!” (More effective than what??)
Media and Persuasion PowerPoint Notes
Fill in the blanks using information from the PowerPoint presentation.
Techniques: An author may use specific techniques to strengthen a weak argument:

Bandwagon: A persuasive tactic that tries to convince the prospective customer to
purchase the product—Somehow conveying the idea of “Everyone’s doing it!”
and is trying to convince you that you should too.

Testimonial: A famous celebrity endorses a product and says, “This is the best
[product] I’ve ever used.”
o Using someone famous to endorse a product causes people to want to use
products celebrities use. We think we can be more like them if we use the
product.
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Loaded Words: Words used in an ad to create strong feelings and emotions—this
is also referred to as emotional appeal in some cases
o Emotions in ads can be as varied as love, fear (scare tactics), happiness,
sadness, and also include peer pressure.
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Misuse of Statistics: Statistics are numbers. When numbers are used in ads in
ways that are not entirely honest or are not backed by evidence, they are misused.
o For example: “99% more effective!” (More effective than what??)
Persuasive Ad Project:
Begin the class period (5-10 minutes) with a journal (prewriting) of the following topic:
Think of a product you think you could sell. It can be something already on the market
or something you imagine. Describe your product. What would be a good way to sell it?
What would be a good persuasive tactic to use to sell it? Could you use more than one
persuasive tactic to sell the product?
When this is completed, give directions for a persuasive ad project.
Divide a piece of construction paper or copy paper into quarters. Label each quarter with
the name of a persuasive device: Bandwagon, Loaded Words, Misuse of Statistics, and
Testimonial.
Make an ad for your product using each of the tactics. Students may draw illustrations or
cut out pictures from magazines to illustrate their persuasive ads. An example has been
provided.
Bandwagon:
Testimonial:
All the cool teachers have
no dust chalk. Why don’t
you??
Laura Bush says, “When I was a
teacher, I used the no dust chalk
and it worked for me!”
Misuse of Statistics:
Loaded Words:
75% of teachers with
allergies can use the no dust
chalk because it keeps them
from sneezing.
Memories of beating
chalkboard erasers haunt
many people. Now students
won’t be faced with this
torture. No dust chalk will
save people from having this
horrible memory.
Additional Information:
Persuasive ads
Bandwagon:
Testimonial:
Misuse of Statistics:
Loaded Words:
Additional activities:
Creative Activity
Additional sites:
Propaganda techniques
Propaganda in commercials