WWI Propaganda Assignment

Objective: Students will design propaganda that encourage citizens of their assigned country to join WWI.

Overview: During previous lessons, we have observed, discussed and analyzed WWI propaganda from many
countries in various formats (posters, music, movies and commercials). In this project, you will work in groups
to create your own WWI propaganda. This assignment must be in the form of a poster with written analysis.

Procedure:

1. Student groups will choose one of the major countries involved in WWI (Britain, France, Russia, Germany,
Ottoman Empire, Serbia).

2. Students will research and outline the major reasons that their country was involved in WWI.

3. Students decide which type of propaganda theme they will use in their poster (catchy slogan, patriotism,
half-truths, demonization, evocative visual symbols, emotion).

4. Students will write a 1-page analysis of their poster.

A- Describe your poster→ message, goals, symbolism, types of propaganda used, why this would have
been effective at the time period

B- What was going on in your country prior to and during WWI? Why did your country get involved in
the conflict? What were its goals?

Grading: See attached grading rubric.

Due Date: Students will have one week to complete the assignment.
 Exemplary Proficient Developing Beginning
Part A- Historical Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates some Demonstrates little
Background exceptional sufficient understanding of understanding of
understanding. understanding of topic. May not topic. May be missing
Explains in great topic, but does not include key details. many details or details
detail what was going include some subtleties Somewhat explains may be incorrect.
on in the country prior of the content. what was going on in
to the war and why Explains what was the country prior to
the country joined going on in the country the war and why the
WWI. prior to the war and country joined WWI
why the country joined but missing some
WWI. key details.
5 3 2-0
4
Part B- Poster Analysis Somewhat describes Minimally describes
Clearly describes the: Mostly describes the the: the:
1. Message/goal of 1. Message/goal of the 1. Message/goal of 1. Message/goal of
the poster. poster: the poster: the poster:
2. Symbolism used. 2. Symbolism used. 2. Symbolism used. 2. Symbolism used.
3. Why this poster 3. Why this poster 3. Why this poster 3. Why this poster
would have been would have been would have been would have been
effective in effective in persuading effective in effective in
persuading people to people to join the war. persuading people to persuading people to
join the war. 4. The type of join the war. join the war.
4. The type of propaganda used 4. The type of 4. The type of
propaganda used. propaganda used. propaganda used.
All done is great
detail.
3 2-0
5 4
Visual Presentation Poster was neat and Poster was mostly neat Poster was could use Student put little to
colorful. The concept and colorful. The some improvement no effort in project.
was very creative. concept was creative. in neatness or color. Project may have
Poster would have Poster would have The concept was fair. been rushed, messy or
been very effective been effective during Poster would have use no color. Text may
during the time the time period. Text been somewhat be messy or all in
period. Text is clean could be slightly effective during the pencil. Concept may
and easy to read. It is improved. It is evident time period. Text be poor. It is evident
evident that the that the student put a could be improved. that the student put
student put a strong good effort into the It is evident that the little to no effort into
effort into the finished product. student put the project.
finished product. some/fair effort into
the finished product.

10 8 6 4-0
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