Propaganda Techniques
Author: Lorraine Tanaka
School or Affiliation: Sierra Grande Elem., Blanca, CO
Endorsed by: These lesson plans are the result of the work of the teachers who have
attended the Columbia Education Center's Summer Workshop. CEC is a consortium of teacher
from 14 western states dedicated to improving the quality of education in the rural,
western, United States, and particularly the quality of math and science Education. CEC
uses Big Sky Telegraph as the hub of their telecommunications network that allows the
participating teachers to stay in contact with their trainers and peers that they have met
at the Workshops.
Date: May 1994
Grade Level/Subject: 5-12, reading
Overview:
Television commercials have an enormous impact on the buying power of Americans.
Students need to become aware of the influence used in commercials to make them more
appealing to the buyer.
Purpose: The purpose of this activity is to expose
students to five different propaganda techniques. This activity will allow them to become
commercial directors using one or more propaganda techniques.
Objectives:
As a result of this activity, students will:
- Identify the five propaganda techniques used in advertisements.
- List 5-10 reasons why certain propaganda techniques are used to sell products.
- Write their own advertisements using propaganda technique that will influence others to
buy their products.
- Videotape their commercials for public speaking practice.
- Write a short paragraph describing how learning to recognize propaganda techniques can
help students when it comes to purchasing items.
- Allow students to work in cooperative learning settings.
Resources/Materials:
old magazines, tagboard, scissors, glue, video equipment. If possible, article found in
Level M - Celebrations - Houghton Mifflin Reading Series. pgs. 308-313.
Activities and Procedures:
- Present the five propaganda techniques generally used in advertisements. Give definition
and examples of each.
- Bandwagon: persuading people to do something by letting them know others are doing it.
- Testimonial: using the words of a famous person to persuade you.
- Transfer: using the names or pictures of famous people, but not direct quotations.
- Repetition: the product name is repeated at least four times.
- Emotional words: words that will make you feel strongly about someone or something.
- Assign students to write down any commercials they can think of. Have a discussion on
what type of propaganda technique was used.
- Using old magazines, students can create propaganda technique collages. They will choose
one technique and find pictures that display their technique.
- Students will then be assigned to design their own product and advertisement using one
or more techniques.
Tying It All Together:
- Videotape students' advertisements.
- Encourage students to identify the techniques they used.
- Present students with five examples of propaganda techniques and have them identify
which techniques were used.
- Present students with five examples of propaganda techniques and have them identify
which techniques were used.
** This activity always seemed to be a highlight of the school year.
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