PROPAGANDA, MEDIA LITERACY AND CRITICAL THINKING is a modular unit designed for approximately three to four weeks of class work. It is designed for high – level student engagement with the history and techniques of propaganda, the psychology of media manipulation and specific strategies to apply critical thinking to digital communication, with a range of techniques and activities for analyzing on-line propaganda and digital manipulation. It is based on three extended power-points, each a complete unit in itself (see full content below). Each slide has questions and other tasks to test for understanding – these are a range of activities, including prior knowledge tests, crossword, short answer quizzes, research tasks, discussion topics and visual interpretation analysis. The teacher copy of the power-points contains the answers to all the questions asked in the unit. All slides are numbered to ensure ease of use in whole class teaching. An extension activity analyzing romanticized representations of war is included. It is a modular unit which can be used as a whole or each of the sections can function as a self contained program of instruction, depending on teaching time and course focus – English, media literacy, life skills, digital persuasion. The unit is in three sections PROPAGANDA AND MEDIA LITERACY What is propaganda – a definition Prior Knowledge test of persuasive techniques The propaganda spectrum/ Use of propaganda for good and bad ends Stereotypes Symbols Emotive Language – Connotations and Associations Framing the issue Sound devices in propaganda ROLES - R epition O missions L ies E xaggeration S implification FIVE ENQUIRY QUESTIONS – Media Manipulation and Digital Deception (i) Advertising and Propaganda (ii) Propaganda and pre-exisiting prejudices (iii) The Big Lie – The Success of Massive Deceptions (iv) The Goals of Propaganda – Case Study Research (v) News Reporting as Propaganda- Case Study DEVELOPING CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS IN AN AGE OF DISINFORMATION Technology and the Future of Propaganda (i) Quantity of Information Technology and the Future of Propaganda (i) Quality and targeting Online Propaganda Campaigns – Case Study Summary of key points - technology and propaganda Questions for research and discussion Five Step to Deal with Online Disinformation Applying Critical Thinking to Digital Propaganda Online Propaganda’s Greatest Tricks (a) Correlation and Causation (b) The Slippery Slope © Bandwagon Appeal (d) False Dichotomy Additional Resources (1) Crossword of Key Terms (with answers) (ii) Extension activity (ppt) - Romanticized Images of War - Wartime Posters

Four items to use with the film JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS 1. Assessment task with exemplar film review 2.Comprehension handout 3. Crossword handout 4. Word search handout

EDITORIAL CARTOONS – A COMPLETE UNIT This is a unit on editorial / political cartoons, ready to teach for approximately three weeks, made up of daily powerpoints covering all aspects of editorial cartooning (see full list of content at bottom of page), culminating in explicit step-by-step teaching of paragraph and essay response writing to editorial cartoons. The package is made up of daily powerpoint lessons, step by step activities to check for understanding, annotated exemplars of paragraph and essay responses, and scaffolding handouts to assist in the practice . Please note - the cartoons have been chosen to be on universal topics like the environment and technology and are not reliant on culture-specific knowledge of politicians and localised systems for understanding. Those cartoons included in the material that relate to historical events are accompanied with snapshot explanations and brief context details. CONTENTS IN FULL package is (i) Teacher Master PPT (answers for all questions on pp) / Student copy of PPT minus answers I. Definitions and Purpose of editorial cartoons II. Targeting III. Prior knowledge test of cartoon commentary IV. Prior knowledge test of key terms to be used in unit V. Satire – purpose and impact VI. Three case studies from history in editorial cartoon satire VII. Application of understanding – test identifying the cartoonist’s purpose VIII. The Techniques of Editorial Cartooning – The Visual Element a. Exaggeration b. Caricature c. Positioning d. Symbolism e. Test on knowledge of classic symbols f. Allusion and Parody g. Analogy h. Metaphor i. Irony j. Stereotypes k. Stereotypes, accuracy and fairness l. National stereotypes m. Juxtaposition n. Comparing and contrasting IX. The Techniques of Editorial Cartooning – The Written Element a. Cartoons with no written text b. Labels in cartooning c. Dialogue in cartooning X. Editorial Cartooning around the world a. Censorship and taboos b. Placing limits on cartooning in democracies XI. Writing an Extended Analysis of An Editorial Cartoon a. Deconstructing the cartoon b. Writing the introduction c. How to write the analysis in full – pp exemplar d. Practice writing using analysis scaffold template XII. Putting It All Together Essay Exemplar – Annotated essay on David Low’s ‘RENDEZVOUS’ (pp. explanation and student handout for close reading) XIII. Editorial Cartoon Analysis test – Student handout Cartoon Analysis Scaffolding - Student Handout XIV. Essay Writing Practice Questions – Student Handout Essay Writing Task from Power Point Stimulus (‘Techno Generation’’) – PPT and Handout Essay Scaffolding - Analysing an Editorial Cartoon – Student Handout