Persuasive texts: Sun safety

Lesson 1: Understanding Persuasion in Advertising

Objective: Students will analyze persuasive techniques used in advertisements and explore how language and images influence behavior.

Materials:

• Examples of sun safety advertisements (print and video)
• Worksheet: “Persuasive Techniques in Advertising”
• Whiteboard/Smartboard

Introduction

1.    Begin by discussing the importance of sun safety and the risks associated with skin cancer.

2.    Explain that students will be creating a sun safety campaign, and the goal is to persuade the public to change their behavior.

3.    Show examples of successful sun safety ads and ask students:

o   What makes these ads effective?

o   What techniques do they use to persuade the audience?

Activity 1: Analyzing Persuasive Techniques

• Distribute the “Persuasive Techniques in Advertising” worksheet.
• In pairs, students will analyze the ads, identifying techniques such as:
• Emotional appeal (fear, safety, family protection)
• Use of statistics or facts (e.g., skin cancer rates)
• Direct calls to action (“Apply sunscreen daily”)
• Imagery that supports the message (e.g., sunburned skin, sunscreen)
• Students will discuss how these techniques work to influence the audience’s behavior.

Activity 2: Class Discussion

• Lead a discussion on the different techniques identified. Ask:
• Which techniques are most effective in sun safety campaigns? Why?
• How can students incorporate these techniques into their own advertisements?

Conclusion

• Recap the importance of choosing the right persuasive techniques for the target audience. Explain that in the next lesson, students will begin planning their own sun safety advertisements.

Lesson 2: Planning the Sun Safety Advertisement

Objective: Students will plan their sun safety advertisement, focusing on persuasive techniques and visual elements.

Materials:

• Advertisement planning template
• Persuasive language examples (e.g., slogans, headlines)
• Whiteboard/Smartboard

Introduction

1.    Review the key elements of a persuasive advertisement: clear message, strong imagery, and a call to action.

2.    Discuss the target audience for a sun safety campaign (e.g., teenagers, parents, general public). Ask students to consider how their message might change depending on the audience.

Activity 1: Brainstorming Ideas

• In small groups, students will brainstorm ideas for their sun safety advertisement, considering:
• The key message they want to convey (e.g., “Protect your skin, protect your life”).
• The tone of the advertisement (e.g., serious, humorous, inspiring).
• The visual elements they will use (e.g., bold colors, strong imagery of sun protection).

Activity 2: Planning the Advertisement

• Distribute the advertisement planning template.
• Students will work individually to plan their advertisement, outlining:
• Slogan: A catchy phrase to grab attention.
• Main Message: The central idea they want the audience to remember.
• Visual Elements: Images, colors, and layout to support the message.
• Persuasive Techniques: The techniques they will use to persuade their audience (e.g., emotional appeal, statistics, expert opinions).
• Encourage students to sketch a rough draft of their advertisement.

Activity 3: Peer Feedback

• In pairs, students will share their advertisement plans and provide feedback, focusing on:
• The clarity of the message.
• The effectiveness of the persuasive techniques.
• Suggestions for improvement.

Conclusion

• Recap the importance of planning and refining ideas. Explain that the next lesson will focus on designing the final advertisement.

Lesson 3: Creating the Sun Safety Advertisement

Objective: Students will create their sun safety advertisement, focusing on design and persuasive techniques.

Materials:

• Planning templates from Lesson 2
• Art supplies or digital design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Spark)
• Whiteboard/Smartboard

Introduction

1.    Review the elements of effective advertisement design: clear layout, eye-catching visuals, and strong messaging.

2.    Encourage students to think about how their design will catch the audience’s attention and convey their message quickly.

Activity 1: Designing the Advertisement

• Students will work individually to create their sun safety advertisement. They can choose to create it by hand or using digital design tools.
• Remind students to focus on:
• A clear, persuasive message.
• Visuals that support the message (e.g., images of sunscreen, people in hats).
• A strong call to action (e.g., “Wear sunscreen daily”).

Activity 2: Class Gallery Walk

• Once students have completed their advertisements, display them around the classroom.
• Students will do a “gallery walk,” looking at each other’s work and providing positive feedback on:
• The effectiveness of the message.
• The use of persuasive techniques.
• The visual impact of the advertisement.

Conclusion

• Recap the key elements of a successful advertisement. Explain that in the next lesson, students will prepare their persuasive pitch.

Lesson 4: Preparing the Persuasive Pitch

Objective: Students will prepare their persuasive pitch, explaining why their sun safety campaign should be adopted.

Materials:

• Advertisement planning templates from previous lessons
• Persuasive pitch planning template
• Whiteboard/Smartboard

Introduction

1.    Explain that in addition to creating an advertisement, students will need to pitch their campaign to an audience, explaining why it should be adopted.

2.    Discuss the key elements of a persuasive pitch: clear argument, evidence, and engaging delivery.

Activity 1: Planning the Pitch

• Distribute the persuasive pitch planning template.
• Students will outline their pitch, focusing on:
• Introduction: How will they grab the audience’s attention?
• Key Argument: Why is sun safety important? Why is their advertisement effective?
• Persuasive Techniques: What techniques did they use, and how do these influence the audience?
• Conclusion: How will they summarize their case and leave a strong impression?
• Encourage students to practice their pitch with a partner, focusing on clear delivery and engaging the audience.

Activity 2: Peer Feedback

• In pairs, students will present their pitch to each other and provide feedback on:
• The strength of the argument.
• The persuasiveness of the language.
• Suggestions for improving the delivery.

Conclusion

• Recap the importance of a strong pitch and explain that in the next lesson, students will present their pitches to the class.

Lesson 5: Presenting the Persuasive Pitch

Objective: Students will present their persuasive pitch, explaining why their sun safety campaign should be adopted.

Materials:

• Completed advertisements
• Planning templates from previous lessons
• Whiteboard/Smartboard

Introduction

1.    Explain that each student will present their pitch, aiming to convince the class that their sun safety campaign is the most effective.

2.    Encourage students to focus on engaging the audience and delivering a clear, persuasive argument.

Activity 1: Presenting the Pitches

• Each student will present their pitch to the class, using their advertisement as a visual aid.
• After each presentation, allow time for questions from the audience, encouraging students to defend their choices and explain their techniques.

Activity 2: Class Vote

• After all the pitches have been presented, the class will vote on which sun safety campaign they found the most persuasive and why.

Conclusion

• Recap the key skills developed during the pitch presentations: persuasive language, clear argument, and engaging delivery.
• Congratulate students on their hard work and creativity.

Assessment:

• Assess students’ advertisements based on their use of persuasive techniques, visual elements, and the clarity of the message.
• Evaluate the persuasive pitches, focusing on the strength of the argument, use of evidence, and the effectiveness of the presentation.
• Provide feedback on both the creative and persuasive elements of the campaign, highlighting areas for improvement.