2/18, 2/19, 2/20: Computer Lab

Wednesday, February 18: Students will be in the computer lab typing final drafts of their "Battle of the Cowshed" articles. ROUGH DRAFTS ARE DUE THIS DAY AND WILL BE COUNTED AS A HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT.

Thursday, February 19: Final drafting, Day Two

Friday, February 20: Finish, print, and hand in final drafts; move on to PROPAGANDA ASSIGNMENT. See below:

Propaganda Assignment

In Animal Farm, we know that "Propaganda and Manipulation" is one of the major themes. We see how Napoleon and Squealer use these techniques frequently in their dealings with the other animals.PROPAGANDA refers to methods used to spread ideas that further a political, commercial, religious, etc. cause. It is not an idea that is limited to Orwell's novel. PROPAGANDA, or persuasion used to manipulate a reader/viewer's thoughts and emotions, is something that we deal with - consciously or unconsciously - on a regular basis.

The following are some common propaganda techniques. Please read them carefully. Be thinking about which ones apply to Animal Farm. Also, consider which ones you have experienced in real life (think of magazine ads, television commercials, etc.).

Name Calling: This technique involves attaching a negative label to a person or a thing. Rather than explain what they believe in, they prefer to try to tear their opponent down.

Transfer: In this technique, an attempt is made to transfer the prestige of a positive symbol to a person or an idea. For example, using the American flag as a backdrop for a political event might imply that the event is patriotic and in the best interest of the U.S.

Testimonial: This technique is easy to understand. It is when "big name" personalities are used to endorse a product.

Plain Folks: This technique uses a folksy approach to convince us to support someone or something. These ads depict people with ordinary looks doing ordinary activities.

Card Stacking: This term comes from stacking a deck of cards in your favor. Card stacking is used to slant a message. Key words or unfavorable statistics may be omitted in an ad or commercial, leading to a series of half-truths.

Bandwagon: The "bandwagon" approach encourages you to think that because everyone else is doing something, you should do it too, or you'll be left out.

Black and White Thinking: In this technique, only two choices are given. You are either for something or against it; there is no middle ground; there are no shades of gray.

Appeal to Emotion: Here, an emotionally-charged story is used as clear proof of something.

DIRECTIONS FOR YOUR ASSIGNMENT:

1. Open up a Word document.

2. In three short paragraphs, describe how THREE of the propaganda techniques listed above apply to Animal Farm. Make your examples as specific as possible; please include characters' names and chapter references.

3. Choose TWO of the propaganda techniques listed above and give a real life example of each. Write a short paragraph for each example.

4. Save your work to your P:drive. Then, print a copy of your work to hand in!