🎯 WALT: We Are Learning To identify and analyse persuasive techniques used in media and advertising
1. Persuasive techniques in media and advertising are best described as:
Methods used to influence people's thoughts, feelings, and actions
Ways to present only factual information
Entertainment designed to make people laugh
Educational content about products
2. Which of these are common persuasive techniques? Select ALL that apply:
Celebrity endorsement (famous people promoting products)
Emotional appeal (making you feel happy, sad, or worried)
Bandwagon effect ("everyone else is doing it")
Limited time offers ("act now or miss out")
Expert opinion (doctors or scientists recommending something)
Fear of missing out (FOMO)
3. Match each persuasive technique to its example:
Celebrity endorsement
Bandwagon effect
Fear appeal
Expert authority
Scarcity
"Only 3 left in stock!"
"9 out of 10 dentists recommend..."
"Join millions of happy customers"
"Don't let hackers steal your data"
"As seen with Taylor Swift"
📱 Part 2: Analysing Social Media Posts
Read this influencer post carefully:
"Hey guys! 😊 I've been struggling with my skin for years, but this GlowMax serum has completely changed my life! Dermatologists love it and celebrities use it too. In studies, 94% of people saw amazing results in just 2 weeks. I've been using it for a month and WOW - check out my before/after pics! You deserve to feel confident too. I got you an exclusive discount code that expires in 24 hours because I want all my followers to experience this transformation. Don't wait - your future self will thank you! #SkinCare #Confidence"
4. Identify THREE persuasive techniques used in this post and explain how each one tries to convince the audience:
5. When the post mentions "94% of people saw amazing results," what should you be careful about?
This proves the product definitely works for everyone
Statistics can be misleading without knowing how the study was done
All statistics in advertisements are completely false
Only doctors can provide accurate statistics
6. How does the influencer try to create a personal connection with their audience? Give two examples from the text:
7. EAL/D Support: Complete these sentences about the post using words from the box:
Word Bank: urgency, celebrity, emotion, trust, statistics
The influencer uses _______ by mentioning dermatologists and _______. They create _______ with the 24-hour deadline. They appeal to _______ by talking about confidence and struggle. They use _______ with the "94%" claim.
🧠 Critical Thinking & Media Literacy
8. Create your own persuasive social media post (60-80 words) encouraging students to join the school's environmental club. Use at least THREE persuasive techniques and label them:
9. EAL/D Extension: Look at this simple ad: "SuperClean washing powder - 9 out of 10 families choose us! Don't let stains ruin your clothes. Buy now!" Identify ONE persuasive technique and explain why it might work:
10. Compare how persuasive techniques work differently on TikTok versus TV advertisements. Think about timing, audience, and how the platforms work:
11. You see this headline: "SHOCKING: New Study Reveals Everything You Know About Sleep is WRONG!" What questions should you ask before believing this? List at least three:
12. Advanced Extension: Research a recent example where fake online reviews or fake social media accounts were used to promote a product or idea. Explain how this technique works and why it can be dangerous for consumers:
13. Reflection: Think about a time when advertising or social media influenced one of your decisions. What persuasive techniques were used? How can you be a more critical consumer in the future?
