Humanities Webquest

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What is propaganda, really?

• Humanities Webquest

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English-Language Arts Standards

• 7th Grade Reading Comprehension Analysis of
  Grade-Level-Appropriate Text
• 2.4 Identify and trace the development of an
  authors argument, point of view, or perspective
  in text.
• 2.6 Assess the adequacy, accuracy, and
  appropriateness of the authors evidence to
  support claims and assertions, noting instances
  of bias and stereotyping.
• 7th Grade Listening and Speaking Analysis and
  Evaluation of Oral and Media Communications
• 1.8 Analyze the effect on the viewer of images,
  text, and sound in electronic journalism
  identify the techniques used to achieve the
  effects in each instance studied.

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Introduction

• Everyday we are bombarded with information on TV,
  the radio, the internet, magazines, email.What
  is the purpose behind all of this information?
  Are we aware of the creators intentions and all
  of the different forms used to convey the
  information, such as, music and pictures? Is this
  information accurate? Who benefits from this
  information? Have you been maniputed by
  propaganda?

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Tasks

• Task 1 Understanding Propaganda (partner)
• Find examples of the major types of propaganda
  using this powerpoint and links provided. Fill-in
  both sides of the handout.
• Task 2 Propaganda in Animal Farm (individual)
• Identify at least two types of propaganda used in
  Animal Farm. Be sure to use a couple of examples
  to support your claiminclude page numbers. Pen
  or typed.
• Task 3 Examples of Propaganda (individual)
• Find one or more examples of propaganda being
  used in media, advertising, and/or politics.
• How are images/pictures/symbols, color, words,
  spatial organization/layout being used to
  persuade the audience (you)? What propaganda
  techniques are being used? Write a short (1-2
  paragraphs) description about the propaganda you
  find. Write neatly in pen or type.
• Task 4 Types of Governments (individual)
• Research types of governments using provided
  links to websites
• Task 5 Propaganda Campaign (group)
• You will be assigned either a government or
  economic system. Create a campaign to convince
  people that your assigned political or economic
  system is the most effective or at least that it
  will be appealing. Create a visual aide poster
  (three fold booth).

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Task1, Step 1 Propaganda techniques

• Slides 6-15 will help you fill-in your handout.

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Purpose of Propaganda?

• Any technique that attempts to influence the
  opinions, emotions, attitudes, or behavior of a
  group in order to benefit the sponsor
• Used every day, in the military, in the media, in
  advertising, in politics, and in all sorts of
  human relationships

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Bandwagon

• Persuading people to do something by letting them
  know others are doing it
• Example
• Either you are with us or against us

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Testimonial

• Using the words of a famous or respectable person
  to persuade
• Example Proactive

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Transfer

• Using names/pictures of famous people but w/out
  direct quotations
• Uses authority and prestige of something we
  respect/revere
• Example
• symbols are constantly used
• cross Christian church
• flag nation

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Repetition

• Repeating product name at least four times within
  the advertisement
• What animals repeat everything they hear in
  Animal Farm?

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Lesser of Two Evils

• Tries to convince us of an idea by presenting it
  as least offensive option
• Example from Animal Farm
• You dont want Mr. Jones back, do you?

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Doublespeak or Euphemisms

• Used to make something not sound as bad as it is
• examples
• went to heaven died
• crusade war
• In Chapter 9 of Animal Farm, Squealer uses the
  term readjustments when he means reduction of
  food rations (Orwell 115).

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Other techniques

• Fear
• Glittering Generalities
• Name-calling
• Plain Folks
• Straw man

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Critical Thinking

• To protect yourself against the techniques of
• propaganda, three good questions to ask
• yourself are
• Who does this benefit?
• Why did they do that?
• According to whom?
• (Definitions retrieved from MrDonn.org)

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Task 1, Step 2

• Using the websites below, skim through them so
  that you become familiar with the many uses of
  propaganda. On your handout take notes on
  anything that interests you this will help
  prepare you for your propaganda campaign (task
  5).
• http//www.thematzats.com/propaganda/prop/index.ht
  m
• http//www.foothilltech.org/rgeib/english/media_li
  teracy/advertising_techniques.htm
• http//www.media-awareness.ca/english/issues/index
  .cfm
• http//library.thinkquest.org/17067/influence/nfin
  fluence.html
• http//academic.cuesta.edu/acasupp/as/404.htm
• http//propaganda.mrdonn.org/techniques.html
• http//library.thinkquest.org/C0111500/proptech.ht
  m

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Analysis of Advertising
(Task 1 Cont.)

• As a class, watch The Closet and complete to
  boxes of chart.
• Choose two of the following advertisements to
  finish chart
• Gatorade Coke
• Starbucks Dr. Pepper (1960s)
• Crest Chrysler

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Task 4 Government Types

• Take notes on each of the different gov. types
  and read the explanations/definition of
  totalitarian and democracy
• Brief overview of all types
• http//www.stutzfamily.com/mrstutz/WorldAffairs/ty
  pesofgovt.html
• http//news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/find_out/guides/
  world/united_nations/types_of_government/newsid_21
  51000/2151570.stm
• Democracy
• http//encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/de/Democracy

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Evaluation Grading Rubrics
Outstanding () Meets Standard (v) Below Standard (-)
Task 1 Techniques and Ad Notes Detailed notes with clear examples Handout/chart is complete filled out Some notes and Handout/chart is mostly filled out Incomplete notes and chart or not completed
Task 2 Animal Farm Propaganda Identifies two examples of propaganda w/in A.F. Cites the specific page explains the use of propaganda Lack some detail but does identify two examples and provides citation and explanation Lacks detail and explanation Doesnt identify two examples Doesnt cite specific pages
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References

• Webquests used as models
• Bersaglia, N. Whats all the hypea look at
  propaganda? Retrieved on March 8, 2010 from
  http//questgarden.com/115/36/7/101128225043/
• Kelts, A.B. Would you be Among the Hidden?
  Retrieved on March 8, 2010 from
  http//questgarden.com/95/02/9/100126054051/
• Reynolds, B. The Hunger Games Propaganda and
  persuasion. Retrieved on March 8, 2010 from
  http//questgarden.com/81/91/0/090501060628/t-inde
  x.htm.