Show, don't Tell - Classroom activity
In groups, get students to collect persuasive style ads from all sources. This includes:
- Magazines
- Newspapers
- Google Ads
- Anything online
- Junk mail
- Direct mail
- Email blasts
- TV ads
- Photos of posters/billboards
Make a poster collage of all the different ads.
For older students get them to identify which emotion the ads are trying to invoke. E.g. Family appeal, trendy, youth appeal, expert appeal, curiosity, humour, safety, love, value for money (cheap), etc.
2) Now get students to create their own ad, using the Show Don't Tell technique. They could choose to write and film a TV ad, design a print ad, create a radio ad, etc.
Persuasive writing aims to evoke emotions and make people act – and that is why ads are the best way of all to teach students the art of persuasive texts.
Extract from Seven Steps to Writing Success Teacher Manual - Persuasive writing.