Introduction: View video clips for commercials promoting various products. (Taco Bell, Nike, Blockbuster Dancing Baby) Discuss the use of propaganda to sell the product. Television commercials have an enormous impact on the buying power and ideas of Americans. Students need to become aware of the influence used in commercials to make them more appealing to the buyer.

Task: Representatives from a concerned citizens group against nuclear waste dumpsites has contacted your corporation to develop a commercial to promote their views. You are to form advertising groups of three to develop your promotional presentation. Remember you will be competing with other groups for this contract.

Information Resources: A variety of resources are available to you to assist you in completing your advertising commercial. Classroom Resources: Grolier and Encarta Encyclopedia, Addison Wesley and Glencoe CD-ROM's and textbooks Library Resources: You may request a pass from teacher to go to the school library. The librarian has been told about your project and will help if you ask.

Technology Resources: Camcorders, VCR's videotapes, and a video editor are available for your use. A wide range of software resources is available on the classroom computers including several graphic programs, Inspiration, PowerPoint, and the Microsoft integrated packages. Internet Resources: The following boldfaced topics are buttons to a variety of Internet resources that you can use to gather information. Each button takes you to a list of sites on various aspects of the broader category identified by the button.

Templates of News Media Propaganda

What is Radiation?

THE PROCESS:

Step 1: Visit the propaganda site to determine and five possible propaganda techniques that can be used. You can also search for additional online information.

Step 2: Next visit the radiation site and/or use the classroom resources and look for possible information that will help promote your stance.

Step 3: Brainstorm within your group to determine the techniques your group will use to promote your stance and develop your script. Collect any music or props you find useful.

Step 4: Videotape your promotion and edit if necessary. Be prepared to present your commercial in class so a panel can decide which group will win the contract.

LEARNING ADVICE: For your project to work, you should create an overall plan first. It will be important to decide who will be responsible for each part and set up a timeline for each part to be completed. Present your plan to your teacher as a check to make sure that it is reasonable and realistic.

CONCLUSION: Plan to present your promotion to the city council by __________, 2000.