Newseum
Political Persuasion: It’s All About Image
Political candidates work hard at creating an image they believe will appeal to voters. High schoolers collect 10 photos and other images of a candidate and analyze them to determine what techniques create a positive or negative impression.
DocsTeach
Cultural Diplomacy and the Smith-Mundt Act
During the Cold War, the United States used everything from bookmobiles to radio stations to improve its image globally. Using documents from the programs, including photographs and official memos, individuals consider how the United...
DocsTeach
Comparing WWI Food Conservation Posters
Food will win the war! At least, that is what some World War I-era posters say. Using two propaganda posters—one in English and one in Yiddish—young scholars consider why the Wilson administration had the posters created. Discussion...
DocsTeach
Uncle Sam and the American Diet
Uncle Sam wants you to follow the food pyramid! Scholars analyze two images of propaganda posters the government created to promote the food pyramid. Academics complete a worksheet to understand the impact of the campaign and end the...
Alabama Department of Archives and History
Yellow Journalism
What role did yellow journalism play in bringing the United States into war with Spain? As part of their study of the Spanish-American War, class groups examine newspapers of the times and other texts and then produce their own...
Curated OER
Animal Farm: Propaganda
Eighth graders are introduced to the concept of propaganda and its major techniques. Emphasis is placed on the recognition and use of this technique in a variety of writing samples.
Curated OER
Guidelines for Recognizing Persuasiveness, Propaganda, and Stereotypes
Students investigate advertisements for examples of persuasiveness, propaganda, and stereotypes. In this persuasion lesson, students find examples of advertisements that are unusual or common. Students discuss guidelines for...
Curated OER
Recognizing Propaganda - Unreliable Testimony
Students investigate how product endorsements can be a form of propaganda. They analyze various shampoo ads, discuss celebrity endorsements and unreliable testimony, and create a written non-propaganda ad for or against a celebrity...
Curated OER
Techniques Used to Convey Media Messages
Students consider the impact of media messages. In this media awareness lesson, students discover the types of media techniques employed in advertising and share examples of each as they create media message collages.
Curated OER
Truth in Advertising
Does propaganda exist in popular media? Explore the concept of propaganda in this media education lesson. Middle schoolers examine persuasive techniques used in commercials. They then create commercials that feature truthful information.
Alabama Department of Archives and History
Marketing a Bad Idea: Why So Many People Joined the Klan in the 1920s
How did the Klu Klux Klan manage to gain so many members during the 1920s? Class members examine Klan documents and promotional materials to gain an understanding of the propaganda techniques used to attract members.
Media Smarts
Packaging Tricks
As part of their study of how advertisers use various techniques to influence consumers, kids examine the design, the promotions, and the product placement in the packaging of their favorite foods.
Curated OER
Hidden Persuaders
Learners examine classic propaganda techniques to analyze factors which influence learning and thinking processes influencing formation of public opinion through these lessons.
Curated OER
World War II: A United Front
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary resources. In this World War II instructional activity, students examine racial relations during the war and then examine propaganda techniques employed by...
Curated OER
Creating the Goods
Young scholars market goods or services to one another. In this media awareness lesson, students use propaganda techniques to create commercials for goods or services of their choice.
Curated OER
Creating War Propaganda
Young scholars analyze propaganda techniques using posters, speeches, and other examples of this type of persuasion. They use this information to design their own examples of propaganda. They focus on propaganda techniques used during war.
Curated OER
I'm Convinced!
Middle schoolers examine persuasive techniques used to sell products, and create and write an advertisement for peanut butter.
Curated OER
Pet Pellets
Students create and design advertising for a tempting new pet food! They create an imaginary pet food, analyze and identify types of propaganda and design packaging and advertising for the pet food.
Nemours KidsHealth
Media Literacy and Health: Grades 9-12
An essential skill for 21st-century learners is to know how to find reliable sources of information. Two activities help high schoolers learn how to determine the reliability of health-related news from websites, TV, magazines, or...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Campaign Photo Analysis
It's the art of the image! As part of a study of the 2020 Presidential race, groups analyze an image of a candidate, first from an objective point of view and then subjectively. They then prepare a presentation detailing what they...
Curated OER
Advertising Techniques And Target Audiences Used in Commercials
Students explain the power of advertising by researching advertising techniques, target audiences and a variety of ads. They learn and identify what advertising techniques are used: Bandwagon, Propaganda, and Testimonial.
Curated OER
Putting a Spin on Current Events
Students discover propaganda. In this Greek mythology lesson, students discuss meanings of ancient art work with their class. Students investigate the dishonesty behind propaganda.
Curated OER
Creating Propaganda
Students explore propaganda. In this lesson about personal opinion, students discuss a topic of interest. Students will determine their opinion about the topic and vote. Students understand propaganda and how it affects society.
Curated OER
Message Control
Students examine various forms of propaganda and how they are used to manipulate public opinion. Students review the techniques of propaganda, learn to recognize propaganda in oral, written, and visual communications and practice...