Creating Propaganda Assignment
In the novel 1984, the MINISTRY OF TRUTH oversees the production of propaganda for the
people of Oceania. Under its oversight are education, entertainment, the arts, and the news. In the
United States, most of our education is overseen by the government, and in many cases,
entertainment and news have merged together, with 90% of both controlled by six corporations
(Comcast, News-Corp, Disney, Viacom, Time Warner, and CBS). We are surrounded by both
governmental and corporate propaganda on a daily basis. Until we truly understand how it works,
we will forever be influenced by it. This assignment asks you to create propaganda in order to
better understand how it works.
George Orwell was introduced to making propaganda during his three years at the BBC in
England. In this assignment you are tasked with creating propaganda, much like Orwell did. You
have many different options across several different creative genres. Some of the options are
directed at the world of the novel, while others ask you to generate propaganda that would be
effective here in America. In addition to the project, students should include a written statement
(no longer than a few paragraphs) that clarifies what the objective of the project is and also gives
some insight into your creative process. As a final note, please don’t create a sarcastic project.
This assignment is designed to help you understand propaganda, not ridicule it. Part of your grade
will be determined by how effective your propaganda is.
Due Date: ___________________
Poster Options:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
A war propaganda poster for a possible US war with North Korea or Iran in the spirit of
American, British, or Nazi World War II posters. You could choose to do this from either
America’s perspective or from Iran or North Korea’s.
A poster that attempts to neutralize a stereotype that is prevalent in our society.
A poster that reinforces stereotypes about proles in the world of the novel or one that attempts to
humanize proles.
Make a poster for a cause you don’t believe in. This must present an original concept. Try to
incorporate euphemistic language.
Make a poster for a major arms manufacturer in the US using euphemistic language.
Create a “Big Brother is Watching You” poster featuring my face using photography (must have
extensive lighting experience).
Music Options:
1.
2.
Write a jingle for Victory Cigarettes or Victory Gin.
Using an app or computer program, generate random song lyrics and then put them to music. Song
should be in a style that is popular with many teens.
Other Options:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
In a visual art piece, blur the line between art and advertising.
Alter a historical photograph to change its meaning or significance (must have high level of
Photoshop skill).
Create an ad campaign turning the scarcity of chocolate or razorblades in 1984 into a positive
attribute.
Shoot a short scene from 1984 and incorporate subtle product placement.
Generate a standardized test designed for 3rd graders that has subtle ties to a corporation.
Propaganda Project Rubric
Categories
Doubleplusgood
Plusgood
Good
Ungood
Creativity
The ideas
included are
original and are
presented in
unusual and
thought
provoking ways.
The ideas
included are
original and are
presented in
thought
provoking ways.
The ideas
included are
mostly original
and are
presented in
more traditional
ways.
The ideas
included are not
original.
Statement
Attached written
statement
articulates the
goal of your
project and
clarifies all areas
of potential
ambiguity or
confusion and
gives significant
insight your
creative process.
Attached written
statement
articulates the
goal of your
project and
clarifies most
areas of potential
ambiguity or
confusion and
gives some
insight your
creative process.
Attached written
statement does
not articulate the
goal of your
project and does
not clarify areas
of potential
ambiguity or
confusion and
gives little to no
insight into your
creative process.
Effectiveness
The project is
very persuasive,
subtle, and is
extremely
effective in
achieving its
desired effect.
The project is
persuasive,
generally subtle,
and is effective
in achieving its
desired effect.
Attached written
statement mostly
articulates the
goal of your
project, but
neglects to
clarify some
areas of potential
ambiguity or
confusion and
gives limited
insight into your
creative process.
The project is
somewhat
persuasive, at
times not subtle,
and is somewhat
effective in
achieving its
desired effect.
Presentation/Effort
There are no
obvious errors. It
is clear from
examining your
project that a
great deal of
effort was put
forth.
There are several
errors present. It
is clear from
examining your
project that some
amount of effort
was put forth.
There are many
errors present. It
is clear from
examining your
project that only
a little amount of
effort was put
forth.
Attractiveness
The media is
exceptionally
attractive in
terms of design,
layout, and
neatness.
There are only
minor errors
present. It is
clear from
examining your
project that a
decent amount
of effort was put
forth.
The media is
attractive in
terms of design,
layout, and
neatness.
The media is
acceptably
attractive though
it may be a bit
messy.
The media is
distractingly
messy or very
poorly designed.
It is not
attractive.
The project is
not very
persuasive, lacks
subtlety, and is
not effective in
achieving its
desired effect.
Exceeding: Doubleplusgood- Big Brother salutes you on your superior intellect.
Meeting: Plusgood - Big Brother is impressed with your knowledge.
Approaching: Good - Acceptable, but Big Brother wants you to strive for more.
Beginning: Ungood - Big Brother is not pleased with your performance.