Download Propaganda poster assignment (feb 2011).

Propaganda Poster Assignment
Individually or in groups of two, you will create a poster that encourages Canadians to
support the war by using propaganda elements and techniques.
Your poster is due Friday, March 4.
SCENARIO
You have been hired to create propaganda posters for our Canadian government during
World War I. Your boss, Sir Sam Hughes, wants you to create a poster for one of the
following purposes:
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asking Canadian men to volunteer for service
asking Canadians at home to ration food
asking Canadians at home to buy Victory Bonds
POSTER REQUIREMENTS
Your poster must:
o
o
o
o
be easy to read
include a message that is clear and convincing
use a mix of visuals and text to convey your message
apply the techniques and elements of propaganda
EVALUATION
Level
Criteria
(K/U) Each poster contains
historically accurate details. The
details are related to the topic.
(T/I) Each poster uses relevant visuals
and convincing/persuasive text
effectively, and the layout of each
poster has been carefully considered
to achieve the desired affect.
(C) The included text is mistake free,
and the organization of the poster is
logical and reader-friendly. The
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poster is neat and visually appealing.
(A) The poster includes/applies many
elements and techniques of
propaganda effectively.
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BASIC ELEMENTS OF PROPAGANDA
Propaganda is generally defined as the dissemination of information, but more
specifically, it connotes the dissemination of information for the purposes of persuasion
and advocating an agenda.
Repetition - Owing to the short limitations of collective memory, a message must be
continuously repeated in order to take hold within the collective consciousness.
Simplicity - The message must be designed in such a way that it appeals to or is quickly
understood by the lowest common intellectual denominator of the collective. This is not
only true because of the vast ignorance of the masses, but also because the collective
attention span is limited. As Hitler demonstrated, the simple lie always conquers the
complex truth.
Imagery - The most powerful propaganda is embedded within appealing imagery. This
imagery could be pictorial or descriptive. (This is why movies and music are such potent
forms of pr propaganda.)
Sentiment - The message must contain as little detail as possible and instead be
designed in such a way that it appeals to some strong emotion or sentiment—such
bravery and sympathy.
TECHNIQUES OF PROPAGANDA
Propaganda can serve to rally people behind a cause, but often at the cost of
exaggerating, misrepresenting, or even lying about the issues in order to gain that
support.
While the issue of propaganda often is discussed in the context of militarism, war and
war-mongering, it is around us in all aspects of life.
As the various examples below will show, common tactics in propaganda often used by
either side include:
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Using selective stories that come over as wide-covering and objective.
Using partial facts or describing only one side of the story.
Reinforcing reasons and motivations to act due to threats on the security of the
individual.
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Demonizing the “enemy” who does not fit the picture of what is “right”.
Appealing to emotion or sentiment so that the reader will react on an emotional
level instead of an intellectual level.
Using symbols that are shared by a group of people.
Appealing to nationalism or patriotism.