Propaganda Webquest
Introduction
What are you reading, watching on television, listening to on the radio? Are you always being given the facts, or are people trying to convince you of their opinions? This is a question that plagues consumers across the globe, and is something that we need to be educated in so that we can make informed decisions about what products to buy or how to vote as well as being able to analyze information that we are presented with each day.
Propaganda is the use of media to convince consumers of opinions, regardless of fact, and is deeply embedded in our culture.
Use the discussion questions below to discuss with your group. Choose someone to record your answers. Then before you share out create a summary of your thoughts and have someone be the spokesperson to share your groups ideas.
Discussion Questions: 1. Hearts or heads? Do we buy things or make decisions based on logic (what we know) or do we make make our decisions guided by our hearts (how we feel)?
2. Coke or Pepsi, MacDonald's or Burger King, Mac or PC, Nike or Under Armour, Obama or Romney? What is the driving force behind how you make decisions? Do we buy things because they represent who we are? Do you choose something or someone because everyone else around you has?
3.Are you influenced by music playing on a commercial? Do you prefer a product or idea because a certain celebrity says it's a good idea? Do you prefer food from a certain restaurant because it's popular? Do you wear brand names prominently displayed on your clothing?
4. Are you faithful to a single brand? Are there celebrities that you support wholeheartedly? Do you ignore faults in certain products or people because they are your favorite brand or favorite person? If you have a negative opinion about a certain product/person, then discover it's a brand or label you like, do you change your mind?
These are the kinds of issues that will be explored in this WebQuest!
The Task
Students and Student Groups will:
1. Define Propaganda
2. Take a look a the history of propaganda
3. View various types of propaganda
4. Create a poster that explains various types of propaganda
6. Create an advertisement utilizing a specific propaganda technique
7. Evaluate and critique your work, the work of your group members, and classmates
1. Define Propaganda
2. Take a look a the history of propaganda
3. View various types of propaganda
4. Create a poster that explains various types of propaganda
6. Create an advertisement utilizing a specific propaganda technique
7. Evaluate and critique your work, the work of your group members, and classmates
The Process
You will be working in small peer groups of two to three people on on your research. Groups work together to compare ideas based on the information collected, as well as sharing your final projects. You are individually responsible for your final projects. You will be sharing these projects with and be evaluated by your peer group.
Step 1- Propaganda background information:
First, your group will investigate the background material found in the articles/links below. Divide up the following list of links to websites (articles) which will help you understand the use of propaganda in our culture. Each member of the group is responsible to gather information that they find and organize it in a way that makes sense to them and can be shared with others. When you've completed your part of the research, share the sites and summaries to your group so that all group members can add to their information/notes.
WORK TOGETHER AS A GROUP!
Step 1- Propaganda background information:
First, your group will investigate the background material found in the articles/links below. Divide up the following list of links to websites (articles) which will help you understand the use of propaganda in our culture. Each member of the group is responsible to gather information that they find and organize it in a way that makes sense to them and can be shared with others. When you've completed your part of the research, share the sites and summaries to your group so that all group members can add to their information/notes.
WORK TOGETHER AS A GROUP!
Read through each link carefully. Lots of information can be found in the various links. For example. Link Five allows you to experiment creating your own commerical.
Step 2-Share Your Information (Jigsaw Activity)
Now you will have a chance to share your information with your classmates. Number off in your group. Then split up into new groups (all of the 1s together, 2s together, etc) to share the information that you found. As you are sharing you may add to your information/notes as well as bring it back to your original group.
____ notes written neatly (5 points)
____ flow logically and make sense (5 points)
____ include information from the research (5 points)
____ Total points (15)
____ notes written neatly (5 points)
____ flow logically and make sense (5 points)
____ include information from the research (5 points)
____ Total points (15)
After your group has shared we will come back to our original groups and take this quiz. After you take the quiz compare your scores to your group members. Were there any answers that you disagreed with?
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Step 3-Creating a Poster
Ten of the propaganda techniques you have read about have been chosen for you to use for your group project. Your group will now create a POSTER which outlines one or two of the 10 propaganda techniques listed on this class worksheet. You and your group will be randomly assigned the propaganda technique(s) that you will display on your poster.
This poster should be colorful, neatly done and provide the viewer with a overview of the technique or techniques you were assigned as well as examples. Posters will be shared using a Gallery Walk, where students will share their posters with the rest of the class as groups rotate around the classroom. Groups will rotate group spokespersons so that everyone gets a chance to share as well as see other group projects.
Poster Scoring Guide:
____ Includes Propaganda Technique Name and definition (5 points)
____ Includes at least three examples of what this technique might look like (5 points)
____ Neat and good use of color(5 points)
____ Makes good use of the poster paper (not too big, not too small)(5 points)
____ Total points (20)
This poster should be colorful, neatly done and provide the viewer with a overview of the technique or techniques you were assigned as well as examples. Posters will be shared using a Gallery Walk, where students will share their posters with the rest of the class as groups rotate around the classroom. Groups will rotate group spokespersons so that everyone gets a chance to share as well as see other group projects.
Poster Scoring Guide:
____ Includes Propaganda Technique Name and definition (5 points)
____ Includes at least three examples of what this technique might look like (5 points)
____ Neat and good use of color(5 points)
____ Makes good use of the poster paper (not too big, not too small)(5 points)
____ Total points (20)
Step 4-Advertisement creation
Time to research advertisement creation; how advertisements are made. Read the first article about the 10 essentials of a great commercial.
We will use this information and the things we have learned about how propaganda is used to view/analyze a variety of advertisements. We will determine what propaganda techniques are used, what is the target audience, and the overall strengths and weaknesses that are present in the advertisement. What is it about each of these advertisements that makes them effective or "catchy"? After you watch each one pause the video and use the recording sheet you are given to make your observations. You have also been given the list from link #7 to help you identify some of the techniques you may see. But as we've researched there are MANY more so if you can identify one that is not on this sheet that is fine. Also, remember there are other aspects of advertisements that make them effective such as music, humor and evoking emotion. Be descriptive in your comments. This recording sheet is worth 75 points (5 points for each commercial).
Your final project will be the creation of an advertisement. You will be randomly assigned a product. However, you may choose how you want it advertised. Are you for it? Against it? You will design your ad using movie maker. Remember to include all of the essential things a commercial includes.
You will present this project to the class upon completion. Students will rate each advertisement for 1. clarity of technique - Do we understand the use of the propaganda technique? 2. creativity - Have you creatively used the advertisement techniques researched? 3. layout composition - Is it easy to understand and logically laid out? |
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The Evaluation
Below is the link for the assessment rubric for the tasks completed in this WebQuest project. Please check your work against this rubric to self-assess. The same rubric will be used by Miss Hartzler and Mrs. Yoder to grade your work.
CONCLUSION
Now it is time to reflect on your work on this webquest:
RESPOND TO THESE QUESTIONS ON MY BLOG:
1. Have you been able to or will you be able to view advertising with a more critical eye?
2. How has this webquest affected your role as a consumer?
3. Are you able to spot propaganda techniques in advertising more readily than prior to beginning this process?
4. How will this affect your buying habits in the future?
Advertising propaganda is riffle in our culture. Being informed of the techniques being used will help us to separate our identities from the manipulation of advertising agencies. This is the first step in becoming informed consumers. This WebQuest required you to look through the eyes of the ad creators. It is this perspective that will help you to see when you are being drawn into purchasing. Share your knowledge with your friends. Knowledge, in this case, the case of propaganda, really is power!
RESPOND TO THESE QUESTIONS ON MY BLOG:
1. Have you been able to or will you be able to view advertising with a more critical eye?
2. How has this webquest affected your role as a consumer?
3. Are you able to spot propaganda techniques in advertising more readily than prior to beginning this process?
4. How will this affect your buying habits in the future?
Advertising propaganda is riffle in our culture. Being informed of the techniques being used will help us to separate our identities from the manipulation of advertising agencies. This is the first step in becoming informed consumers. This WebQuest required you to look through the eyes of the ad creators. It is this perspective that will help you to see when you are being drawn into purchasing. Share your knowledge with your friends. Knowledge, in this case, the case of propaganda, really is power!