Political ads as primary source documents? But of course. Viewers analyze the strategies involved in the Republican Party's 1984 advertisement in support of Ronald Reagan's reelection. 

Concepts

ronald reagan, political campaigns

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

social studies

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• Begin with a mini-lesson on propaganda and rhetoric techniques, and ask viewers to identify the devices used in the ad
• Contrast the Republican campaign, which largely ignored Mondale and focused on a resurgence of American commerce, with the democratic one by showing a Mondale/Ferraro ad
• Ask groups to fact-check the information presented in the ad

Pros

• A link to the full text and a video of the ad is provided
• Response questions are included

Cons

• The question do not direct viewers' attention to the techniques used in the ad
• The resource assumes readers are familiar with propaganda techniques