Lesson ideas for Author’s Purpose, Point of View, Tone, and Propaganda See Tone Packet for lesson ideas on Author’s Tone

Provide the class with a topic. Draw Tone and POV instructions from a box. Example: The Topic is… Should High School Students be Required to do Community Services? Point of view: (Drawn from a hat) Yes, with some exceptions/provisions. Tone: (Drawn from a hat) Cautionary Now, write a piece use these elements. Trade papers to see if students can choose the correct POV and Tone

Provide definitions of propaganda techniques. Discuss with students the types of propaganda they

have seen. Pass out Propaganda Seek and Find and students can complete this over the course of a

week or so.

Students create a response as to how propaganda is influenced by mass media.

Discuss why propaganda is often not challenged by most people in the society.

Use the following websites to show images of propaganda:

http://www.propagandacritic.com/articles/intro.why.html

http://www.ushmm.org/propaganda/ Holocaust Memorial Museum propaganda page

http://library.thinkquest.org/C0111500/proptech.htm Propaganda techniques

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/propaganda_in_nazi_germany.htm

Students work in pairs to create a political or product advertisement using the propaganda

techniques listed. They must determine ahead of time what their Purpose, Audience, Point of View,

and Tone will be for the ad.

Students write a persuasive essays (from Read Write Think lesson) in response to quote: “It is

essential in a democratic society that young people and adults learn how to think, learn how to

make up their minds. They must learn how to think independently, and they must learn how to think

together. They must come to conclusions, but at the same time they must recognize the right of

other men to come to opposite conclusions. So far as individuals are concerned, the art of

democracy is the art of thinking and discussing independently together.” (Institute for Propaganda

Analysis. The Fine Art of Propaganda. New York: Harcourt, Brace, and Company, 1939)

Why Care? Recognizing the author’s purpose, point of view , and tone will help you to understand the passage as well as prevent you from falling prey to misleading persuasive tricks.

Author’s purpose, point of view, tone defined The author’s purpose can be to:

Inform: to teach the reader something Persuade: wants the reader to take action Describe: lots of details about an item or event Entertain: humorous or engaging, suspenseful

The author’s point of view

(DO NOT CONFUSE WITH NARRATIVE POINT OF VIEW) Point of view directly relates to the author’s belief about a subject or topic. Authors can be biased (they favor one side over another) or objective (see both sides)

The author’s tone

The word choice and writing style an author uses creates an attitude about a topic. Remember: Tone is different from description. A sad topic can be presented in a neutral tone. Also, when preparing for standardized tests, it is important to look at lists of tone words to know their definition. The reader might be able to describe the tone but does not have the vocabulary to choose the correct answer.

Type of writing Author’s Purpose Point of View and Tone Non-fiction News articles Textbooks Biographies Documentaries Manuals Charts, graphs Tables

To inform, explain, give directions, illustrate, or present information.

The author’s point of view and tone is primarily neutral.

Persuasive Pieces Editorials Advertisements Billboards Commercials Campaign speeches Bumper stickers Some charts and graphs

To persuade by expressing an opinion to convince readers to think/feel/act a certain way.

The point of view clearly reflects the author’s attitude about a subject. Sometimes the opinion is directly stated and other times it is implied. The author may try to convince readers by using tone to appeal to their feelings and/or values.

Fiction Short story Poetry Novels Drama

To illustrate a theme, event, or story that conveys a mood. Usually written to entertain.

The author may use characters or narrators to express attitudes in the story. The tone might be light and humorous or serious and sad.

Authors often offer a combination of these

Some more definitions to consider:

Accuracy free from error; fact; truth Arguments a process for reasoning Bias describes a preference toward a certain perspective and therefore removes objectivity. Contradiction a direct opposition between things compared; inconsistency Deductive reasoning reasoning from general to the particular (or cause to effect) Evidence something that proves or disproves Inductive reasoning reasoning from detailed to the general Inference to make assumptions or guess based on evidence Objectivity not influenced by prejudice or bias Paradox a statement that could be seen as true but also untrue Validity legally sound

Propaganda Techniques

Ad hominem attacking your opponent instead of attacking their

arguments

Ad nauseam tireless repetition of an idea so that people begin to

take it as truth. Media plays a large role.

Appeal to authority quoting or using prominent people to suport

their position

Appeal to fear seeks to build support by instilling fear, anxiety, and

panic in the general population

Appeal to prejudice using loaded terms to attach value or moral

goodness to believing in the position

Assertion Assertion is commonly used in advertising and modern

propaganda. An assertion is an enthusiastic or energetic statement presented as a fact, although it is not necessarily true

Bandwagon persuades people that “everyone else is doing it” so

you should too

Black-and-white fallacy presenting only two choices

Common man convinces the audience that the position reflects

the common sense of the people, for the everyday common man

Demonizing the enemy making individual from the opposing

group appear subhuman, worthless, or immoral through suggestion or flase accusations

Direct order tells the audience exactly what to do

Disinformation creating or deleting information from public records to make false record of an event or

actions

Euphoria Use an event that generates happiness (military parades)

Half-truth a deceptive statement which has some truth like a double meaning or improper punctuation

Intentional vagueness generalities are intentionally vague so the audience can fill in the blanks

Lesser of Two Evils The "lesser of two evils" technique tries to convince us of an idea or proposal by

presenting it as the least offensive option

Logical fallacy a misleading or false argument, one that does not follow logically

Name-calling incites fears and arouses prejudices

Quotes out of context selectively editing quotes to change meanings

Red herring presents data or issues that are irrelevant to the argument

Scapegoating assigns blame to an individual or group to distract attention from the need to fix the problem

Slogans brief, striking phrase that may include labeling and stereotyping.

Spin a heavily biased argument

Stereotyping used to arouse prejudices by labeling the object/person as something that the audience fears

Propaganda Seek and Find As you read literature, magazines, newspapers, onine media and more, list the examples you find of propaganda.

Propaganda technique:

Source Description

Non-fiction Analysis: Helping students read between the lines

More than ever our students need to be able to critically assess the endless supply of information bombarding them. Our 24-hour news cycle as well as print and online sources are filled with bias and spin. This lesson is a general guideline to analyzing non-fiction text and it is adaptable each time you want to study non-fiction.

Decide a topic: _______________________________________ This can be a current event or a connection to what you are reading/discussing at the time.

Assign homework Ask students to go home and print a copy of an article about the topic. They can copy it from the newspaper, a magazine, or print it from the internet. Make sure the topic is narrow enough so that they will find articles that discuss the same things. For instance, if you want them to learn more about censorship in schools they would need to type in more specific searches than just censorship.

Summarize Students are to summarize their articles in two to three sentences. They should also highlight key points on the text. Teach or refer to the Definitions to Consider. (see page 2)

Comparison chart Place students in groups of 4-5 and ask them to read their summaries. Once they have all read them, they discuss any differences or similarities and mark it down on the Comparison paper. (see page 3)

Consider the Source Next, students will complete the Consider the Source page.(see page 4) This might require further research. If so, the homework is for them to find out more about the “source.”

Choosing the Best When students return, allow them to get into groups again and discuss their sources. As a group, decide on the best article that provides the most accurate information. Turn it in.

Follow up With questions about the role of media, and/or continue one more round with different groups or in pairs.

Make Copies Of the articles from each group so that you have a packet of 3-5 articles. Put students in pairs and go through the process again so that they narrow it down to the best of the best articles.

Reflection At the end of this assignment, in addition to using the information for research purposes, consider having the students complete a reflection about what they learned by doing this activity.

Repeat throughout the year.

Non-fiction Analysis: Reading between the lines Name________________

Topic: __________________________________ Homework: Bring in an article about the topic. The article can be photocopied from a

magazine or paper, or it can be printed from online. Some definitions to consider: Logical fallacy –a misleading or false argument, one that does not follow logically

Bias – describes a preference toward a certain perspective and therefore removes objectivity.

Spin – a heavily biased argument

Objectivity – not influenced by prejudice or bias

Evidence – something that proves or disproves

Validity – legally sound

Arguments – a process for reasoning

Paradox – a statement that could be seen as true but also untrue

Contradiction – a direct opposition between things compared; inconsistency

Deductive reasoning – reasoning from general to the particular (or cause to effect)

Inductive reasoning – reasoning from detailed to the general

Inference – to make assumptions or guess based on evidence

Accuracy – free from error; fact; truth

Summarize:

Make notes while you read your article, then summarize here.

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Share your summaries in groups and complete this comparison chart.

Group Member One Group Member Two

Group Member Four Group Member Three

Articles state the same facts about…

Consider the Source

What is the source of your article? _____________________________________________

Is this a primary source? _____________________________________________________

Does your source have a specific agenda or bias? Is it associated with certain beliefs or

opinions? What are they? This might require homework. Often you can go to the About Us page

to learn more about the particular site where you are researching.

____________________________________________________________________________

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Now that everyone has shared their articles, compared summaries, and determined the source,

comment on whether you believe this source is accurate, biased, incomplete, etc. and why.

Note examples.

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Discussion Questions/Reflection

1. What are the positive and/or negative effects of the media presenting bias?

2. Has the ease of information distribution harmed or strengthened the ability to get news?

3. What are the benefits and drawbacks to the easy access of information?

4. How did your understanding of this topic change as you analyzed the sources?

5. How important is it that the public become informed readers? What are the

consequences of not having media literacy?

Tone Lessons and Ideas

Many students can read a passage and describe the tone of the piece but might not have

the vocabulary to know which word to choose in a test situation. Tone words are also

great words to learn for better writing as they are mostly descriptive words.

Included in this packet:

Lesson : Tone word flash cards with articles – this can be used for various other

reading skills as well (Figurative language, theme, organizational structure, etc.)

List of tone words

Acrostic vocabulary with tone words

Quick Ideas: Student can use the free flashcard making site: www.flashcardmachine.com. On

this site students can either make their own flash cards or read through the ones

already posted. Check out this link for a list of tone words : http://www.flashcardmachine.com/FlashCardDB/flash_card_db.cgi?search=true&topic_id=518282&subject=English&order_by=topic_created&desc=1&title=tone Students can also download the flash cards to their ipods. Excellent resource for all subjects.

Writing ideas:

Write new passages that convey different tones. List four tone words with one as

the correct tone. Pass around or put on overhead/doc camera and have students

guess the correct tone.

Rewrite the same passage to make a different tone.

Find poems that convey a certain tone. Write the antithesis of the poem to convey

an opposite tone.

Students work in pairs and decide on a topic for a poem. Each writes the poem in

different tones.

Use reading logs or reading responses that ask students to find evidence of a

particular tone.

Reading Connection Lesson for using the TONE words list

Assigneachstudentadifferentword Studentswillusetheircurrentreadingmaterialorlookthroughmagazinesto find an article that represents that author’s tone (this might take a few days or assignedashomework)

On a blank sheet of computer paper side one: write the word and definition, draw a picture or find an image to represent it, and write a sentence that reflects the tone side two: attach a copy of an article or an excerpt from their own reading that represents the tone Check for accuracy Options: 1. have students pass them around and add sticky notes to say if they agree with the tone- add other tone words if applicable 2. teacher checks and passes back 3. Read aloud a few each day to the class and discuss use of tone and the definitions to see if correct.

After checking for accuracy use the laminated pages as a type of flash card for reviewing the words and understanding tone in a piece

Extensions Pass out the tone sheets (Laminated student created versions) and ask students to write a companion piece in another tone. For example, if they are given the word sarcastic and it is an article about the war, they could write a piece about the war in a sincere or reverent tone.

NOTE:There are multiple benefits of this assignment.Students find the passages themselves with a keen eye on the author’s purpose.Tone questions appear on the reading portion of the FCAT. It is likely that the vocabulary of the tone word “answers” throw the students more than not understanding the passage. This list of 60-65 words should help alleviate those concerns.This assignment incorporates both critical reading and writing skills. Studentsaretheassessors

160 TONE WORDS absurd logically impossible, ridiculous accusatory charging of wrong-doing acerbic harsh, severe admiring approving, holding in high-esteem aggressive hostile ambivalent mixed or conflicting feelings animated lively, passionate apathetic indifferent due to lack of energy or concern apologetic expressing regret ardent intense, passionate arrogant aggressively haughty assertive positive, overbearing audacious bold, daring awe solemn wonder awestruck fear mingled with admiration bantering witty teasing, good-natured, playful, joking befuddled muddle or confuse benevolent desiring to do good, kind bitter exhibiting strong animosity as a result of pain

or grief callous unfeeling, insensitive to feelings of others candid outspoken, frank caustic intense use of sarcasm; stinging, biting cautionary warning of danger celebratory praise, honor choleric hot-tempered, easily angered cold deliberate disregard colloquial ordinary, everyday speech compassionate sympathetic, merciful compliant yielding to the will of others complimentary positive conciliatory pacify, overcome condescending a feeling of superiority confident full of conviction, certain, self-assured contemplative thinking,reflecting on an issue contemptuous showing or feeling that something is worthless or lacks respect conventional lacking spontaneity, originality, individuality critical finding fault cynical questions basic sincerity and goodness of people

defiant full of antagonism, challenging demeaning degrade, speak low of someone or something depressed hopeless derisive ridiculing, mocking detached impartial, aloof, not engaged didactic author attempts to educate/instruct reader diffident hesitant, unwilling to assert, lacking self dignified honor upon diplomatic tactful, good judgment disdainful scornful disheartened losing spirit or courage disparaging speak poorly of, discredit dispassionate impartial, lacking emotion docile easy to manage, get along dramatic striking in effect, provoking emotions earnest intense, a sincere state of mind egotistical conceit

elegiac ode, expressing sorrow from past empathetic understanding of anothers’ emotions erudite learned, polished, scholarly evasive escaping understanding excited enthusiastic fanciful using the imagination farcical mockery faultfinding placing blame fawning showing immense affection flippant to lack proper respect or seriousness formal conventional, sticking to form forthright directly frank without hesitation frank candid, undisguised frivolous silly, not serious fuming angry, furious gentle easy-going, accepting giddy frivolous, silliness gloomy darkness, sadness, rejection grim uncompromising, frightful gullible easily deceived hard-hearted unfeeling, insensitive haughty proud and vain to the point of arrogance humble modest, unimportant humorous with humor, comical impartial equitable, not biased impassioned filled with emotion imploring requesting urgently inane without sense or intelligence incensed enraged, encite to anger incredulous skeptical indifferent no interest, apathetic indignant marked by anger; aroused by justice informative instructive, to impart knowledge intense strong, vehement intimate very familiar ironic sarcastic jaded unbelieving jovial happy judgmental authoritative, often having critical opinions laudatory praising learned knowledgeable, wise, educated lugubrious exaggeratedly mournful, dark, brooding lyrical expressing a poet’s inner feelings;emotional

full of images; song-like macabre gruesome, death-like malicious purposely hurtful matter of fact accepting of conditions;not fanciful or emotional mock-heroic ridicule idea of being noble mocking treating with contempt or ridicule morose gloomy, sullen, sourly, despondent mourning regretting loss, expressing sorrow naïve unsophisticated, innocent narcissistic full of oneself, conceit nostalgic sentimental, remembrance objective an unbiased view, able to leave personal

judgments aside obsequious polite and obedient in order to gain something

optimistic hopeful, cheerful outraged disgusted, angry pathetic exciting pity patronizing air of condescension pedantic condescending, stodgy, ostentatiously learned pensive reflective, thoughtful persuasive trying to get other to take their opinion pessimistic seeing the worst side of things petty small minded, doesn’t like the big picture philosophical pertaining to philosopy placating appease, calm poignant affecting, biting pompous showy, bragging, ostentatious, pretentious pragmatic practical, matter-of-fact pretentious showy, bragging, ostentatious, provocative incite, arrouse, stir up quizzical odd, eccentric, amusing reflective innermost thoughts and emotions regretful sense of loss, looking back painfully resentful angry at having been injured, bitter resigned relinquish, endure with patience restrained held back, controlling emotion reticent reserved, silent reverent treating a subject with honor or respect ribald offensive in speech or gesture ridiculing slightly contemptuous banter; making fun of righteous virtuous, devout sanguine optimistic, cheerful sarcastic sneering, caustic sardonic scornfully and bitterly sarcastic satiric ridiculing to show weakness in order to

make a point. teach scathing severly criticize scornful expressing contempt or displeasure sensationalistic intended to thrill sincere without deceit or pretense, genuine skeptical doubtful, questioning solemn deeply earnest, tending toward sad somber depressing, melancholy, serious, grave subjective not objective, biased submissive obedient, yielding tolerant patient and fair, endure without complaint tragic very unhappy unbiased without predetermined judgement uneasy not resigned to belief urgent requiring immediate action, pressingly important veneration admiration, wonder vexed angry, annoyed vibrant full of enthusiasm vindictive seeking revenge, bitter virtuous moral, upright whimsical odd, strange, fantastic, fun witty original and clever remarks wonder in awe or amazement zealous dilligent, earnest

Use this space to make notes of other tone words to add to your vocabulary.

Vocabulary Acrostic Poems/Definitions

Have fun with new vocabulary words and use them in a creative writing style. Give out the words, then write the letter ACROSTIC style and fill in with words or phrases to define the word. Conclude by writing a sentence that defines the word in context.

RASH ReallyActingSwiftly, sometimesHarshlyHe ruined his chance for a second date when he made the rash decision to leave his date at the theatre.

BewilderBeElusive or make peopleWonder. Be IndefinableLove oftenDoes this.Ever wondered how Juliet could fall so quickly for Romeo?You were bewildered by their relationship.

BenevolentBenEnjoys helpingNeedy peopleEverywhere,Volunteers atOld folks homes,Lends his Ears for friends whoNeed to TalkWhat a BENevolent guy.

boisterous cowerdivulge eclectic gaunt hypocrisyjovial amiable nocturnal recede renegade stereotype tranquility fraildevoted hilarious