Taking a Closer Look - Propaganda Techniques

Please note: This activity is a modified, reduced version of the lesson plan.

Title: Taking A Closer Look - Propaganda Techniques
Subject: English/Language Arts
Grade Level: 7

Overview:
This lesson plan was created for the Probing Issues at Black Bayou Lake Refuge Project. Students will locate and identify some of the most common propaganda techniques used to persuade an audience using GPS units. The students will incorporate these techniques as they write letters to the editor and create a newsletter.

Approximate Duration: 4 Fifty Minute Sessions

Objectives:
TLW identify and interpret common propaganda techniques.
TLW use propaganda techniques when writing a persuasive letter to the editor.
TLW create a newsletter with articles illustrating propaganda techniques.

Lesson Procedures:
Pre-Field Experience - Day 1 - School Site

1. Introduce the project, Probing Issues on Black Bayou Lake, to the students. Explain to them that they will learn about and use common propaganda techniques. After the trip to the refuge, they will write letters to the editor in which they will try to persuade the general public to support the mission of the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Black Bayou Lake NWR.

2. To pique interest in the lesson on propaganda techniques, show a few pre-selected advertisements from the following websites:
http://www.whymilk.com/
http://www.pepsi.com/home.php
http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/hurricane/

While viewing these ads with the students, ask probing questions which will facilitate a class discussion on propaganda techniques. Distribute the Taking a Closer Look at Propaganda Techniques Guide. Take a second look at the advertisements and as you are viewing them, informally discuss the guide .

3. The teacher will review with students that an author's purpose may be to entertain, to persuade, to give factual information, to describe, or to explain. Ads and commercials use propaganda techniques to persuade people.

Pre- Field Experiences - Day 2 - School Site

1. Using Inspiration software, an overhead or the chalk board, students will brainstorm and generate a list of advertisements or commercials recently seen. The class will discuss the purpose of these ads and list catch phrases, pictures, etc. with the ad.

2. Review the propaganda techniques by going to http://www.art.unt.edu/ntieva/news/vol_15/no_1/PersuasiveTechniques.htm . Focus on the ones that will be used at the refuge. These techniques are bandwagon, glittering generalities, plain folks and testimonial.

3. Distribute the Propaganda Techniques Quick Guide. Tell the students that these are the techniques that will be illustrated on the refuge.

Pre- Field Experiences - Day 3 - School Site

1. The students will be placed in groups and will have a research guide, Taking a Closer Look at Propaganda Techniques, to complete as they view the advertisements in newspapers and magazines. The students will identify common propaganda techniques used in at least two advertisements.

2. To close the lesson, the students will work in groups as they write an advertisement using one of the techniques learned.

Black Bayou Lake Refuge - Field Study

The students will participate in Caching in on Propaganda Techniques, a GPS activity in which students will locate caches containing examples of or information about common propaganda techniques. The students will classify the techniques used.

Post-Field Experience - School Site

Note:
You will find a list of suggested activities that develop curriculum content areas that were addressed in this project; however, post trip activities to be completed should be a collaborative curriculum effort decided by the core teachers.

A newsletter will be produced by each school highlighting the Probing Issues project. Each curriculum area will contribute to the newsletter. A letter to the editor will be written by the students. One from each school will be selected to actually be emailed to the editor of the local paper.

Assessment Procedures:
Letter to the Editor Rubric
Publisher Newsletter Rubric
Group Participation

Reproducible Materials:
Propaganda Techniques Quick Guide
Taking A Closer Look at Propaganda Techniques Guide
Black Bayou Lake Newsletter Publisher Template
Letter to the Editor Rubric
Group Participation Rubric
Black Bayou Lake Newsletter Rubric


Explorations and Extensions:
The students can have a debate concerning issues at Black Bayou Lake Refuge.
The students can write persuasive essays.
Working in groups the students can write and video a commercial.
Using Venn diagrams the students can compare and contrast propaganda techniques.
Students can re-write advertisements and use various propaganda techniques.

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