1. Warm – Up
Within your groups, brainstorm about your favorite commercial on television or advertisement in a magazine or online.
Why do you like this commercial?
How does it make you feel after viewing it?
Does the commercial convince you to buy the product? Why or why not?
Be ready to share out!

2. SS.7.C.2.11 – Analyzing media and political communications (bias, symbolism, propaganda).
Essential Question: What types of communication techniques and methods are used in the media and political communication?
Answers will vary on essential question. Groups use propaganda in many different ways advertising, creating internet ads, commercials on television and much more. Their hope is that people will see their advertisements and be persuaded to act.

3. We Do – Student Note Taking Political and Media Communication

4. Bias
Bias is a preference, opinion or attitude that favors one way of thinking or feeling over another. Bias affects how people see events and people around them. Many biases come from an individual’s personal experiences or lack of experiences.

5. Words or Ideas Represented by the Symbol
Symbolism
Symbol
Words or Ideas Represented by the Symbol
Uncle Sam, bald eagle, American flag, Capitol building, White House
U.S. government
red, white, blue, stars and stripes
American flag, patriotism
Statue of Liberty, torch, Liberty Bell
freedom and democracy
U.S. Supreme Court building, scales
Justice
Donkey
Democratic Party
Elephant
Republican Party
dove, olive branch, peace sign
Peace
Symbolism is the technique of using images or pictures to convey a certain message.

6. Propaganda is media that uses carefully-crafted messages to manipulate people’s opinions and beliefs – it has one purpose – to persuade - therefore, it is biased!

7. Types of Propaganda Testimonials Bandwagon Name-Calling
Glittering Generalities
Card Stacking
Plain Folks
Transfer
Review definitions with students

8. You Do – Gallery Walk
Can you spot the propaganda techniques that are influencing you every day?
They are everywhere – today you will be the detective and will be visiting multiple stations around the room to evaluate and assess the propaganda at work.
Watch out! These methods can be tricky, and sly, but if you have the right tools and knowledge, you can spot them.
Complete the handouts as you visit each station. Make sure that your are matching the station pictures to the correct questions on the handout.
5 minutes per station is all you get so you will have to work quickly.
Ready… Set… Go find the propaganda!

9. Let’s Review!

10. Station 1 – Name Calling

11. Station 2 - Testimonials

12. Station 3 - Transfer

13. Station 4 – Glittering Generalities

14. Station 5 – Plain Folks

15. Station 6 - Bandwagon

16. Station 7 – Card Stacking

17. Station 8 - Challenge

18. Exit Questions (3 minutes) The poster below was created in 1917
What type of communication is shown in this poster?
Accurate
Biased
Informational
Propagandized
Source: Public Domain/Library of Congress

19. Bell Ringer Questions (3 minutes) The poster below was created in 1917
What type of communication is shown in this poster?
Accurate
Biased
Informational
Propagandized
D is the correct answer.
Source: Public Domain/Library of Congress