Writer: David Bovey
Released March 2007
Context
We are surrounded by propaganda. Everywhere we look there are attempts to manipulate us into accepting ideas, opinions or arguments. At times subtle, at times blatant, propaganda is a tool used to influence our thoughts and actions. Students may be aware of what propaganda is and what its purpose is, but they may not be aware of many of the language techniques used.
This unit explores the use of propaganda both overseas and in New Zealand politics. The NZFA disc begins with a look at the Cold War and contains many other wonderful examples of propaganda at work. The unit contains detailed analysis of each extract paying particular attention to the use of syntax and language techniques. Points to discuss are included and are designed to encourage students to think about not only the information presented in each extract, but also give them the opportunity to reflect on their own personal response.
The unit is designed to provide students with a range of information to be used for the internally assessed Level 3 achievement standards 90725 Construct and deliver an oral presentation and 90726 Complete independent research on a language or literature topic and present conclusions in writing.
Outline
Students begin with a discussion establishing prior knowledge. Many will be unfamiliar with the term propaganda and it would be useful to provide an historical background. Useful links (see below) provide excellent examples of propaganda from a range of eras and situations.
The discussion could also include students’ ideas on how they think they are manipulated and the propaganda associated with the modern media and internet.
Students will then view the NZFA disc exploring a range of extracts.
Objectives
This unit aims to prepare students for internally assessed achievement standards 90725 and 90726 by providing a range of resources and information. By the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Identify the target audience and purpose of an example of propaganda
- Identify the language features used in an example of propaganda
- Analyse an example of propaganda and evaluate its effectiveness.
Vocabulary List
- Abstract nouns
- Acronym
- Ad hominum
- Allusion
- Antithesis
- Appeals – to prestige, patriotism, personal prejudices, emotions
- Cliché
- Emotionally-toned adjectives
- Euphemism
- False analogy
- Generalisation
- Hyperbole
- Imagery
- Imperatives
- Innuendo
- Irony
- Jargon
- Labelling
- Neologism
- Personal appeals – through use of first person plural, ‘we’, ‘us’ etc (inclusive) and direct personal appeal through use of second person ‘you’.
- Pun
- Repetition
- Sarcasm
- Slogan
- Statistics
- Stereotypes
- Superlatives
- Verbosity
Resources/Links
http://www.tki.org.nz This handy site contains the assessment information and exemplars for the Level 3 achievement standards 90725 and 90726. Go to NCEA on tki then to Internal Assessment Resources, English, scroll down to Eng 3/6 – A3 Say it on Words; Eng 3/7 A4 A Question of Language; or, perhaps the best choice for this topic, Eng 3/7 – C1 All for the Cause.
http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/resources/units/manipulator/home.html
This site contains some excellent resources designed and created by NZ teachers for use at a variety of levels. This particular unit contains an excellent index which provides not only assessment information but also provides a fantastic list of web resources too numerous to list here.
http://library.thinkquest.org Contains a useful link to resources. American based, of course, but interesting nevertheless. It presents a range of propaganda resources from military conflicts of different eras.
Assessment
Formative/peer assessment – as they work through the unit, students can check their understanding of texts and ideas with peers and the teacher.
The formal assessment criteria for each of the internally assessed achievement standards 90725 and 90726 can be found at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz or http://www.tki.org.nz
Handouts
Propaganda: Student Response Sheet
Propaganda: Teacher Copy Student Response Sheet
Activities
- Student Response Sheet which accompanies disk with teacher copy
- 1987 Political Advertising Comparative activity
- Students are to find an example of propaganda from the print media, whether it be an advertisement or newspaper article etc. They are to present a written discussion explaining the techniques used, both written and/or visual, the target audience and how effective they think it is as a piece of propaganda.
- The information the students have is to be used as the basis for either the oral presentation or research project.
