Virginia SOL 7.C.4.A
The Standard
Explain persuasive/informative techniques used in media to sway the audience (e.g., innuendo, card stacking, bandwagon, and appeal to emotions).
Virginia Standards of Learning for English · Examining Media Messages
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students identify persuasive techniques in media messages and explain how each one shapes audience reactions. They use details from words, images, sounds, and missing information as evidence.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students correctly name the technique used in an advertisement, post, video, or article. They cite specific words, images, sounds, or omitted facts and explain the intended audience effect.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may label any emotional image as an emotional appeal without explaining its intended effect. They may confuse bandwagon claims with evidence, miss implied messages in innuendo, or accept card stacking as balanced information.
How to Assess It
- Give students one advertisement and ask: “Name the technique, cite one detail that shows it, and explain how it could sway viewers.”
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Sort printed ads into technique groups, then highlight the words or images that reveal each technique.
Write a response to: “Which technique would most influence seventh graders, and why?”
Play Technique Detective by showing short media examples and awarding points for correct labels, evidence, and audience effects.
Examine school flyers or social media posts and identify how each tries to shape a choice, belief, or action.
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Printable 7.C.4.A Worksheet
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Related Standards
- 9.C.4.B
Analyze the persuasive techniques used in diverse media formats (e.g., name calling, innuendo, glittering generalities, card stacking, bandwagon, testimonials, ...
- 8.C.4.A
Examine how the media can influence beliefs, behaviors, and interpretations by using persuasive techniques (e.g., name calling, innuendo, glittering generalitie...
- 10.C.4.B
Analyze, compare, and contrast visual and verbal media messages for content (e.g., word choice and choice of information), intent (e.g., persuasive techniques, ...
- 5.C.4.C
Compare and contrast techniques used in a variety of media messages (e.g., animation, famous images and words, music and sound, photo-editing).
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