Consumer Services
Activity Guide
Objectives
In this unit, students will:
1. Explore common advertising and media communication techniques and key words.
2. Practice applying the common advertising techniques to develop an emotional and rational appeal.
3. Identify relevant and irrelevant facts in advertising; evaluate and analyze underlying messages used to
promote the sale of a product or service.
4. Explore the relationship between consumption and consumerism.
5. Distinguish between consumer rights and consumer responsibilities and gain a better understanding of the
government laws and agencies to protect consumers.
6. Learn to read product labels and gain an understanding about product warranties.
7. Identify common advertising techniques used to convince children to purchase products and understand
the importance of protecting children from mass media advertising.
8. Identify the impact and consequences of shoplifting on all merchandisers and consumers.
9. Experience comparison-shopping by testing, comparing and evaluating four similar products.
Day
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1
Activity
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1
Activity Description
What’s the Message?
Categorize ads as product/information or person/service
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1
2
1
3
2
1
Pros and Cons of Media
Select media based on different qualities; make sure to read pg. 4
Managing an Advertising Agency
Play out a media buying scenario by selecting media for products
Identifying an Emotional Appeal
Determine emotional appeal through ads
3
1
Wonderful Wonder Crunch Bar
Write ads for products with different markets. Teacher supplies
magazines
3
2
Product Promotion
Evaluate ads for true content. Teacher supplies magazines
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4
1
Design a Brochure
Use Publisher to design a brochure. *Additional notes below
5
1
Narrative Writing activity/on-screen multiple-choice test
Critical writing on deceptive advertising
6
1
Consumer Rights
Read and explore the Consumer Bill of Rights
6
2
Government Regulations
Read about government agencies in charge of Consumer rights
7
1
Read that Label
Gain an understanding of information on product labels
7
2
Nutritional Facts
Compare labels and record observations in the Journal
7
3
Labels and Safety Warnings
Understand the consequences of not reading safety labels
8
1
9
1
10
10
1
2
Influencing Purchases
Determine how they influence others to purchase products
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Product Specifications Card
Explore specifics on product labels
Product Comparisons – comparison of 4 products**
Persuasive Writing activity/on-screen multiple-choice test
Critical writing on harmful advertising
Type of
Activity
Problem
Solving
Problem
Solving
Problem
Solving
Problem
Solving
Problem
Solving
Problem
Solving
Computer/
Project
Test
Problem
Solving
Reading
Problem
Solving
Problem
Solving
Problem
Solving
Problem
Solving
Problem
Solving
Experiment
Test
*There is a sample brochure with each panel labeled in the reference section. Make sure the students ask before
printing. Prevent ink bleeding by using a heavier paper.
**Two comparisons are required, the others are offered as extra credit. Go over the directions with students to
make sure they understand. A product evaluation exercise can also be added, so consumer reports are included.