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5th grade · English Language Arts · Unit 8 of 17

Media Smarts

See through persuasive ads

What your child practices

Spotting the tricks ads use, telling facts from opinions, and asking smart questions about who made a message and why.

New York State Learning Standards learning standard: 5R7; 5R8 · the purposes of ads and the techniques they use to persuade

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. Ads use tricks to sell. Bandwagon says everyone is doing it. A testimonial uses someone famous or happy to praise it.
  2. Emotional appeal tries to make you feel something, like fear or joy.
  3. Ask: who made this, who is it for, and what do they want me to do?

Example: An ad says, “All the kids in town have one. Don’t be left out!” Which technique is this? It says everyone has it. Joining in because others do is bandwagon. Answer: bandwagon

Media Smarts in New York

In the New York State Learning Standards, this is unit 8 of 17 in 5th grade English Language Arts, after Punctuation Power and before Create With Words, Pictures and Sound.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: New York State Education Department (NYSED)

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    Which persuasive technique does this ad use?

    Fresh, fresh, fresh! Our bread is always fresh!

    • exaggeration
    • bandwagon
    • testimonial
    • repetition

  2. Question 2

    Which persuasive technique does this ad use?

    “I eat these granola bars before every game,” says a famous hockey star.

    • testimonial
    • bandwagon
    • exaggeration
    • emotional appeal

  3. Question 3

    Which persuasive technique does this ad use?

    Puppies at the shelter are waiting for a loving home. Will you give one a family?

    • emotional appeal
    • bandwagon
    • repetition
    • exaggeration

  4. Question 4

    Which technique tries to make you feel a strong emotion, like love or worry?

    • emotional appeal
    • exaggeration
    • repetition
    • bandwagon

  5. Question 5

    Sort these ad statements into facts and opinions.

    Sort into: 📏 Fact · 💬 Opinion

    • 🧥This jacket comes in three colors.
    • 🎲This game is the most fun you'll ever have.
    • 🎲The game is for ages 8 and up.
    • 🥣The cereal box holds 500 grams.
    • 🏪Our store has the friendliest staff in town.
    • 📖This is the best book of the year.

  6. Question 6

    Which persuasive technique does this ad use?

    The most delicious pizza in the entire universe!

    • exaggeration
    • testimonial
    • emotional appeal
    • bandwagon

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