Author:
Bonnie Waltz, Deanna Mayers, Tracy Rains
Subject:
English Language Arts
Material Type:
Lesson Plan
Level:
High School
Grade:
9, 10, 11, 12
Tags:
  • English
  • Ethos
  • Logos
  • Media Literacy
  • Pathos
  • Persuasive Techniques
  • License:
    Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial
    Language:
    English
    Media Formats:
    Downloadable docs, Interactive, Text/HTML, Video

    Education Standards

    Persuasive Techniques in the Media

    Persuasive Techniques in the Media

    Overview

    The media has one job: to sell you something. That something could be a product, such as a new cell phone, or it could be something less tangible, like a belief or a value. Depending on the TV shows you watch, the internet sites you visit, or the highways you drive on, the media will try different ways to convince you to buy or buy into something. Knowing the techniques the media uses will help you to think for yourself and make thoughtful decisions about the products and ideas being “sold” to you. In this seminar, you will strive to accurately identify the ways in which the media persuades you. You might not grasp the persuasion at first, but as you complete the tasks in this seminar and, especially, analyze the perspectives of those trying to sell you ideas or products, you will become better at identifying the persuasive tactics of the media and, in turn, be able to make sensible decisions accordingly.

    Standards

    CC.1.2.9-10.D

    Determine an author’s particular point of view and analyze how rhetoric advances the point of view.

    CC.1.2.9-10.H
    Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing the validity of reasoning and relevance of evidence.
    CC.1.2.9-10.F
    Analyze how words and phrases shape meaning and tone in texts.

    Engage

    Introductory warm-up activity

    Watch this video that consists of actual commercials that aim to sell unhealthy foods to children. Think about the specific choices made by the creators of the commercials, specifically how each one targets children to get them (or their parents) to buy the product. Be sure to watch with the volume up since words and music are important to the commercials.

    Explore

    Read or watch the resources to learn about this concept, then do the practice activity.

    ReadWatchDo

    Read this informative site about persuasive techniques in the media. It explains three of the main techniques (ethos, pathos, logos) and provides definitions of other common techniques as well.

    Watch this video about persuasive techniques in the media. The video will provide examples and explanations of common persuasive techniques to prepare you for identifying them in the media.

    Review the terms on this Quizlet to become more familiar with common persuasive techniques in the media. As you study the terms, think about recent advertisements you’ve seen in the media and how these terms might have been used for persuasive effect. Be sure to jot down notes or questions about the terms that seem confusing. Also, feel free to seek further resources about confusing terms.

     

    Explain

    Discuss your ideas / opinions / understandings.

    Meet with someone, face to face or virtually, and discuss some pressing questions about persuasion in the media. Be sure to explain the concept vocabulary of this seminar in your discussion. Here are some questions and prompts to guide the discussion:

    • How does the media use ethos, logos, and pathos to convince you to buy something?

    • Explain how the media isn’t selling only a particular product but also ideas or beliefs.

    • What’s the difference between the techniques bandwagon and avante garde?

    • Why do companies rely on a technique such as patriotism to sell a product that has nothing to do with being patriotic?

    • The term bribery is often used in a negative tone, but how does the media use it for positive gains?

    Evaluate

    quiz for your own self-checking

    Now it is time to self check how much you have learned about persuasive techniques.  If you do not know as much as you thought, go back to the “Explore” section of this seminar and reread, rewatch, or redo the activities listed.  See your facilitator if you have questions.

    Click here to take the quiz online. You do not have to log into the quiz site in order to take this quiz. If a window pops up asking you to sign up for the quiz site, just close the sign-up window and start your quiz.

    Elaborate

    This is a task or project where you can show what you know.

    Find three commercials (on TV or the Internet) in which you are able to identify the various persuasive techniques used by the company, campaign, or individuals behind the product. Complete this sheet as you go.

    Express

    Complete this wrap-up activity where you reflect on your learning.  

    Now that you’ve completed the activities in this seminar, think about your learning: Which activity made the most sense to you? Why? Which part of the seminar challenged you to think the most and encouraged your persistence? How is the information you learned in this seminar going to benefit you outside of the classroom?