Identifying and Understanding the Use of Testimonials in Advertising
Identifying and Understanding the Use of Testimonials in Advertising
Objectives
Students will analyze the use of propaganda techniques, particularly testimonials, in nonfiction text. Students will:
- identify stated claims, facts, reasoned judgments, and opinions across texts.
- identify the use of testimonials.
- cite evidence from texts to make assertions, inferences, generalizations, and to draw conclusions about the use of testimonials.
Essential Questions
How do readers’ know what to believe in what they read, hear, and view?
How do strategic readers create meaning from informational and literary text?
How does interaction with text provoke thinking and response?
How does one develop and refine vocabulary?
What is this text really about?
- How do strategic readers create meaning from informational and literary text?
- What is this text really about?
- How does interaction with text provoke thinking and response?
- How do readers know what to believe in what they read, hear, and view?
Vocabulary
- Author’s Purpose: The author’s intent either to inform or teach about something, to entertain people, or to persuade or convince the audience to do or not do something.
- Inference: A judgment based on reasoning rather than on a direct or explicit statement. A conclusion based on facts or circumstances; understanding gained by “reading between the lines.”
- Propaganda Techniques and Persuasive Tactics:Propaganda techniques and persuasive tactics are used to influence people to believe, buy, or do something. Students should be able to identify and comprehend the propaganda technique and persuasive tactics listed below:
- Testimonial: An attempt to persuade the reader by using a famous person to endorse a product or idea (for instance, the celebrity endorsement).
Duration
50–100 minutes/1–2 class periods
Prerequisite Skills
Prerequisite Skills haven't been entered into the lesson plan.
Materials
The materials for this lesson were chosen because they are examples of testimonials. Teachers may substitute other materials or texts to provide a range of reading and level of text complexity.
- list of propaganda techniques
www.pbs.org/weta/reportingamericaatwar/teachers/pdf/propaganda.pdf
- testimonial technique
www.propagandacritic.com/articles/ct.fc.testimonial.html
- several ads that use the testimonial technique
- visual of Star Power ad
www.nitrolicious.com/blog/2009/06/01/louis-vuitton-core-values-campaign-sally-ride-buzz-aldrin-jim-lovell/
- “Testimonial” from ChangingMinds.org
http://changingminds.org/techniques/propaganda/testimonial.htm
Related Unit and Lesson Plans
Related Materials & Resources
The possible inclusion of commercial websites below is not an implied endorsement of their products, which are not free, and are not required for this lesson plan.
Related materials and resources haven't been entered into the lesson plan.Formative Assessment
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Final 06/07/2013