Advertisements and Public Service Announcement Project
What is a Public Service Announcement (PSA)?
A public service announcement is a type of advertisement featured on television, radio, print or
other media. Whereas the objective of a standard advertisement is to market a product, a PSA is
intended to change the public interest by raising awareness of an issue, affecting public attitudes
and potentially stimulating action.
The Assignment – Working in Pairs
Part 1: Find an advertisement (one) from the media and describe how it is dangerous for teenage
girls and / or boys in a response paragraph (4-5 sentences). In your response, reference body
image, objectification of the female/male form, eating disorders and the “culture of toxicity.” Make
sure you include a copy of the advertisement along with your paragraph.
Part 2: Find an advertisement (one) that you think is safe or free from any of the aforementioned
negative influences on body image and / or self-esteem. Explain in a response paragraph (4-5
sentences) how you think this advertisement conveys a positive message. The message should
not put pressure to look a certain way or show rewards that come from having an unrealistic body
type. Was it hard to find one of these advertisements? Again, make sure you include a copy of the
advertisement along with your paragraph.
Part 3: Create your own Public Service Announcement to raise awareness about a specific eating
disorder. The four types of eating disorders you may choose from are:
a) Anorexia Nervosa
b) Bulimia Nervosa
c) Binge-Eating (Compulsive Over-Eating)
d) Anorexia Athletica (make sure you reference Calorie counting and exercise)
Your PSA should be creative enough to grab people’s attention plus be informative and accurate!
All facts should be reported correctly (meaning you must reference the website / other media).
PSA Requirements:
1. PSAs must be a minimum size of 8.5 x 11. This is a print PSA only (no audio, video).
2. Include an illustration / photo / representation.
3. Include at least 2 accurate facts about the eating disorder. “Facts” can include dangers,
physical / mental effects, statistics, and any of the facts from the Eating Disorders Cycle
Handout from Health Class. Make sure the facts are relevant and accurate.
Resources:
National Eating Disorders Association - http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/index.php
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa - http://www.anad.org/
Academy for Eating Disorders - http://www.aedweb.org/
- http://abcnews.go.com/Health/faking-beauty-photoshopping-unhealthy-americas-youthama/story?id=13960394
4. Give your PSA a creative title or slogan.
5. Use PowerPoint, SMART Notebook, Photoshop or any other means you feel necessary.
Public Service Announcement Project Rubric
NAME: _______________________
CLASS: ________
SUBMITTED ON TIME (BEFORE / ON THE CLASS DUE DATE)?
CATEGORY
L4
L3
OVERALL MARK: ________
YES
L2
NO
L1 – R
Graphics /
Images
All graphics used
Most graphics used
Some graphics used
Few graphics used
reflect a high degree of reflect a high degree of reflect a high degree of reflect a high degree of
creativity / thought.
creativity / thought.
creativity / thought.
creativity / thought.
Title /
Slogan
Title / Slogan is
Title / Slogan is
Title / Slogan is
Title / Slogan is
exceptionally engaging, adequately engaging, somewhat engaging,
minimally engaging,
relevant, and visible on relevant, and visible on relevant, and visible on relevant, and visible on
the PSA.
the PSA.
the PSA.
the PSA.
Content
At least 4 accurate facts Three accurate facts are Two accurate facts are Less than 2 accurate
are displayed on the displayed on the PSA displayed on the PSA facts are displayed on
PSA and have a source
and have a source
and have a source
the PSA and have a
citation.
citation.
citation.
source citation.
References /
Citations
Design /
Layout
Grammar
All information on the Most information on
PSA is referenced by a the PSA is referenced
reputable source and is by a reputable source
current
and is current
(after 2007).
(after 2007).
Some information on
Little or no
the PSA is referenced information on the PSA
by a reputable source
is referenced by a
and is current
reputable source and is
(after 2007).
current (after 2007).
The PSA is
The PSA is
The PSA is adequately
exceptionally
somewhat organized,
organized, informative,
organized, informative,
informative, and
and appealing.
and appealing.
appealing.
The PSA is
minimally organized,
informative, and
appealing.
There are no
There are 2
There are more than 2
There is 1 grammatical
grammatical mistakes
grammatical mistakes grammatical mistakes
mistake on the PSA.
on the PSA.
on the PSA.
on the PSA.
Good
-dove body image ads
-Nike/Fitness
Bad
-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PG5jUkwwH8
-http://abcnews.go.com/Health/faking-beauty-photoshopping-unhealthy-americas-youthama/story?id=13960394