Ad Guru Challenge: Persuasive Video Showdown!

High School Grade

Project
5 weeks

Ad Guru Challenge: Persuasive Video Showdown!

Elias Dudgeon

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to engage students in creating impactful video advertisements by leveraging rhetorical strategies such as ethos, pathos, and logos, while also analyzing the author's choices in literary works to inform their approach. Through collaborative discussions and iterative feedback, students will refine their ability to present persuasive arguments tailored to specific audiences. This hands-on experience not only enhances their argumentative writing skills but also fosters critical thinking and creativity as they analyze and produce content that resonates and inspires action.

Learning goals

Students will develop the ability to effectively utilize rhetorical strategies, including ethos, pathos, and logos, to craft persuasive arguments tailored to specific audiences. They will enhance their skills in argumentative writing and video production, focusing on clarity, coherence, and the impact of their message. Students will analyze the impact of authorial choices in literary texts, understanding how these choices influence the development and relation of elements within the work. Through collaborative discussions and peer reviews, students will refine their communication skills, engage in critical analysis, and apply feedback to improve their work.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective; ensure that listeners can follow the line of reasoning, alternative or opposing perspectives are addressed, and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and a range of formal and informal tasks.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.1: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.3: Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a literary text.

Products

Students will create persuasive video advertisements tailored to specific audiences, utilizing rhetorical strategies such as ethos, pathos, and logos. Throughout the project, students will draft scripts, storyboard their ideas, and engage in video production, focusing on effective communication and audience engagement. Additionally, students will analyze the impact of authorial choices in literary works to inform their own creative decisions. By the end of the project, each student will have a polished video advertisement ready for exhibition, demonstrating their ability to craft compelling arguments and inspire action.

Launch

Begin the project with an interactive school-wide assembly where students present their viral challenge ideas, drawing inspiration from the ALS ice bucket challenge. Each group will showcase a brief pitch that outlines their concept, intended audience, and the rhetorical strategies they plan to employ, while also analyzing how author choices in literary works can inform their approach. This dynamic launch will spark enthusiasm and initiate collaborative discussions and peer feedback.

Exhibition

At the culmination of the project, students will host a school-wide video exhibition where their advertisements are showcased. The exhibition will be set up in a common area with screens displaying each group's video, allowing attendees to view the persuasive strategies employed. Students will engage with viewers, answering questions and discussing the rhetorical choices and the impact of these choices, drawing parallels to authorial decisions in literary texts. This interactive exhibition will provide an opportunity for students to articulate their learning outcomes and receive real-time feedback from a diverse audience.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Project Introduction and Essential Question Exploration - Students will engage in an interactive discussion about the project overview, essential question, and how rhetorical strategies can be used to create compelling advertisements, setting the stage for the project (25 min) Viral Challenge Brainstorming - Students will work in small groups to brainstorm and draft ideas for their own viral challenge, drawing inspiration from the ALS ice bucket challenge and considering their target audience (25 min)	Introduction to Rhetorical Strategies - Through collaborative group work, students will explore ethos, pathos, and logos by analyzing examples from existing advertisements and discussing their impact on different audiences (30 min) Literary Analysis Connection - Students will read a short literary excerpt and analyze how the author's choices in the text can inform their advertisement strategy, focusing on the development and relation of elements within the work (20 min)	Argumentative Writing Workshop - Students will learn how to structure arguments by reviewing examples of effective argumentative writing, identifying key components, and discussing how these can be applied in their own work (30 min) Script Drafting Session - Students will begin drafting scripts for their viral challenge advertisements, incorporating rhetorical strategies and ensuring their argument is tailored to their intended audience (20 min)	Peer Review Session - Students will participate in small group discussions to share their script drafts, provide constructive feedback, and refine their arguments based on peer suggestions (25 min) Storyboarding and Visual Planning - Students will start creating storyboards for their advertisements, planning visuals and considering how each element supports their rhetorical strategies (25 min)	Refinement and Feedback - Using a collaborative online platform, students will share storyboard drafts and receive asynchronous feedback from classmates to further refine their ideas (30 min) Mid-Week Reflection - Students will reflect on their progress, evaluating how well they have integrated rhetorical strategies and authorial choices into their advertisement plans, and set goals for the following week (20 min)
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Group Pitch Presentation - Each group will deliver a 5-minute pitch presenting their advertisement concept, intended audience, and rhetorical strategies to classmates and teachers for feedback.
Preparation	1. Prep Task 1: Reserve a space for the school-wide assembly and ensure necessary audio/visual equipment is available. 2. Prep Task 2: Compile a selection of video advertisements and literary texts that demonstrate effective use of rhetorical strategies. 3. Prep Task 3: Create workshop materials, including handouts on ethos, pathos, and logos, and examples from literary texts. 4. Prep Task 4: Set up an online platform for students to post and receive feedback on their advertisement concepts. 5. Prep Task 5: Coordinate with teachers to form a feedback panel for the pitch presentations.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Rhetorical Strategy Exploration - Analyze examples of ethos, pathos, and logos in selected advertisements and discuss their effectiveness in small groups (30 min) Literary Analysis Connection - Read a short literary text and identify authorial choices that influence the work's meaning, drawing parallels to rhetorical strategies in advertisements (20 min)	Audience Analysis Workshop - Conduct a guided brainstorming session to identify characteristics of different target audiences and discuss how these influence rhetorical strategy choices (25 min) Storyboard Drafting - Begin drafting a storyboard for the advertisement video, focusing on aligning rhetorical strategies with the intended audience (25 min)	Argumentative Writing Exercise - Write a brief argumentative script that incorporates ethos, pathos, and logos, tailored to the specific audience identified in the storyboard (30 min) Peer Review Session - Exchange scripts with a partner for feedback on clarity, coherence, and rhetorical effectiveness (20 min)	Video Production Techniques - Introduce basic video production techniques, including camera angles, lighting, and sound, to enhance the advertisement's message (30 min) Storyboard Revision - Revise the storyboard based on peer feedback and new insights from video production techniques (20 min)	Draft Video Filming - Begin filming the first draft of the advertisement video, focusing on capturing the essence of the storyboard and script (40 min) Reflection and Goal Setting - Reflect on the filming process and set goals for the next phase of video editing (10 min)
Deliverables	1. Complete a draft of the video advertisement script, incorporating ethos, pathos, and logos. 2. Submit a storyboard that outlines the visual and narrative structure of the video.
Preparation	1. Prepare examples of effective use of rhetorical strategies in various media for analysis. 2. Select a literary text with clear authorial choices for study and discussion. 3. Provide storyboard templates and materials for students to use during the storyboarding session. 4. Set up a collaborative online platform for script sharing and peer feedback. 5. Organize classroom space for group discussions and peer review activities.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Video Editing Introduction - Introduce basic video editing techniques and tools, focusing on how these can enhance the rhetorical impact of the advertisement (25 min) Editing Practice - Students will practice editing a sample video clip, experimenting with transitions and effects to understand their impact on audience perception (25 min)	Collaborative Editing Session - In pairs, students will begin editing their draft advertisement videos, applying learned techniques to enhance clarity and engagement (30 min) Peer Feedback Exchange - Students will exchange their edited videos with peers for constructive feedback on editing choices and overall message effectiveness (20 min)	Feedback Integration - Students will refine their video edits based on peer feedback, focusing on improving the use of ethos, pathos, and logos (30 min) Authorial Choices Analysis - Analyze a literary text to understand how the author's choices influence meaning, drawing parallels to video editing decisions (20 min)	Final Editing Touches - Complete the final edits of the advertisement video, ensuring all elements align with the intended audience and rhetorical strategies (35 min) Self-Assessment Preparation - Begin drafting a self-assessment, reflecting on personal contributions and the effectiveness of rhetorical strategies used (15 min)	Mid-Project Exhibition - Present draft videos to a panel of teachers and peers for feedback, focusing on presentation style and message clarity (35 min) Reflection and Goal Setting - Reflect on the feedback received during the exhibition and set actionable goals for finalizing the project (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Draft script and storyboard for the video advertisement 2. Initial video footage or rough cut of the advertisement
Preparation	1. Gather sample advertisements and literary texts that exemplify strong use of ethos, pathos, and logos for analysis. 2. Prepare materials for scriptwriting and storyboarding, such as paper, pencils, and storyboarding templates. 3. Set up video recording equipment and editing software for student use during production sessions. 4. Develop peer feedback guidelines to facilitate constructive critique and support effective communication.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Video Editing Basics - Introduce students to basic video editing software and techniques to enhance their advertisement videos, focusing on pacing, transitions, and sound (25 min) Peer Feedback Exchange - Students will exchange their rough video edits with peers for constructive feedback, focusing on clarity and effectiveness of rhetorical strategies (25 min)	Incorporating Feedback - Students will refine their video edits based on peer feedback, ensuring their message is clear and engaging for the intended audience (30 min) Authorial Choice Analysis - Students will analyze a literary text to draw connections between authorial choices and their own video narrative decisions (20 min)	Advanced Editing Techniques - Explore advanced editing options such as color correction and special effects to enhance the video’s persuasive power (25 min) Collaborative Review Session - Students will collaborate in small groups to review each other's edited videos, focusing on the use of rhetorical strategies and overall impact (25 min)	Final Edits and Polishing - Students will make final adjustments to their videos, ensuring their advertisement is polished and effectively communicates the intended message (30 min) Self-Assessment Writing - Students will complete a written self-assessment evaluating their work, detailing strengths and areas for improvement in their video presentation (20 min)	Mid-Project Exhibition Preparation - Students will prepare to showcase their video drafts in a mid-project exhibition, focusing on presentation style and message clarity (25 min) Exhibition and Feedback Session - Host a mid-project exhibition where students present their draft videos to a panel for feedback on their rhetorical strategies and effectiveness (25 min)
Deliverables	1. Revised video draft incorporating peer and panel feedback 2. Completed storyboard and finalized script for final production
Preparation	1. Set up a collaborative online platform for feedback exchange and revisions 2. Arrange a schedule and location for the mid-project exhibition 3. Prepare feedback forms and criteria for the exhibition panel 4. Ensure access to video recording equipment and editing software 5. Coordinate with students to secure necessary props, costumes, and locations for video production

Week 5	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Final Edits and Rehearsal - Students will conduct a final review and refinement of their advertisement videos, ensuring all rhetorical strategies are effectively used, and rehearse their presentation delivery for the upcoming exhibition (30 min) Literary Text Analysis - Analyze a literary text to identify and discuss the author's choices, drawing connections to the strategic decisions made in their video advertisements (20 min)	Self-Assessment Completion - Students will complete a written self-assessment, evaluating their use of rhetorical strategies and identifying strengths and areas for improvement in their video presentations (25 min) Peer Review Session - Organize a peer review session where students present their final videos in small groups, followed by a guided discussion to analyze the effectiveness of each video's argumentation and use of rhetorical strategies (25 min)	Feedback Integration - Students will refine their videos and presentations based on peer review feedback, enhancing the clarity and impact of their rhetorical messages (30 min) Rehearsal and Presentation Refinement - Conduct a final rehearsal of video presentations, focusing on delivery style and audience engagement techniques in preparation for the exhibition (20 min)	Video Exhibition Setup - Collaboratively set up the exhibition space, ensuring all technical aspects for video presentations are in place and organized (20 min) Exhibition Rehearsal - Conduct a walkthrough of the exhibition, practicing interactions with viewers and preparing responses for potential questions about rhetorical choices and authorial parallels (30 min)	School-Wide Video Exhibition - Host and engage in the school-wide exhibition, showcasing videos and discussing rhetorical strategies, authorial influences, and the effectiveness of their advertisements with attendees (40 min) Post-Exhibition Reflection - Reflect on the exhibition experience, discussing insights gained from audience feedback and evaluating the overall project process and outcomes (10 min)
Deliverables	1. Final video advertisement 2. Peer review feedback form 3. Written self-assessment
Preparation	1. Ensure access to video editing software and equipment for students to finalize their videos. 2. Set up a space for the peer review session with necessary audio-visual equipment. 3. Prepare guiding questions and a feedback form for peer review discussions. 4. Provide a self-assessment template for students to complete. 5. Arrange the exhibition space with screens and audio equipment for video presentations. 6. Coordinate with school staff to facilitate the exhibition logistics and invite attendees.