TITLE: Propaganda Techniques
AUTHOR: Lorraine Tanaka, Sierra Grande Elem., Blanca, CO
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:
1. Identify the five propaganda techniques used in
advertisements.
2. List 5-10 reasons why certain propaganda techniques
are used to sell products.
3. Write their own advertisements using propaganda
technique that will influence others to buy their
products.
4. Videotape their commercials for public speaking
practice.
5. Write a short paragraph describing how learning to
recognize propaganda techniques can help students when
it comes to purchasing items.
6. 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:
1. Present the five propaganda techniques generally used
in advertisements. Give definition and examples of
each.
a. Bandwagon: persuading people to do something by
letting them know others are doing it.
b. Testimonial: using the words of a famous person to
persuade you.
c. Transfer: using the names or pictures of famous
people, but not direct quotations.
d. Repetition: the product name is repeated at least
four times.
e. Emotional words: words that will make you feel
strongly about someone or something.
2. Assign students to write down any commercials they can
think of. Have a discussion on what type of
propaganda technique was used.
3. Using old magazines, students can create propaganda
technique collages. They will choose one technique
and find pictures that display their technique.
4. Students will then be assigned to design their own
product and advertisement using one or more techniques.
TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:
1. Videotape students' advertisements.
2. Encourage students to identify the techniques they
used.
3. Present students with five examples of propaganda
techniques and have them identify which techniques
were used.
4. 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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