Part of Lesson Plan: Propaganda and Persuasion or influencing friends and convincing strangers

Activity Overview / Details

When finished ask students, “What do these videos have in common?” (all have a message to impart on viewer) Let them know these are Public Service Announcements.

Show Lipton Iced Tea commercial with Eminem.

Ask students, “What is the difference between PSA and commercial?” (Commercials are used to sell product, create need; PSAs are used to sell ideas, change behavior or inform viewer of issue)

How is a ‘message’ different than ‘information’ in a commercial?

As producers, students will have to consider what their message will be for the PSA project and determine the most effective technique to convey the message to the viewer.