Unit(s): Mass Communication
Purpose:
The purpose of this activity is to use persuasive techniques and target it to a specific audience.
Objective:
The student will learn to analyze their audience and apply persuasion techniques to create an effective commercial.
Materials:
None
Procedure:
- Students will design a commercial for a fictitious product and perform it for the class. The student can use their imagination to create a serious or silly product.
- Example: A commercial designed for older people with denture problems - "Soggy Crackers" - comes with a pack of free denture cleaner and is low in sodium.
- The student is to design the product or product container and present the commercial to the class.
- Students must also answer the following questions on paper:
a. Who is your audience and how will the product benefit this group?
b. What time of day (or year) would you show this commercial and why?
c. During what T.V. programs would you air the commercial and why?
d. Is there a certain geographical region or area that would benefit from this product?
e. What specific persuasion techniques did you use to target your audience?- Grading -- Points are assigned for each of the following:
a. The student must make a model of the product or design the box.
b. They must perform the commercial.
c. They must answer the questions listed above correctly.