Virginia SOL 8.C.4

8.C.4 is a Standards of Learning standard. These are the knowledge and skills expectations under it.

• 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...

• 8.C.4.B

  Analyze how similar information is presented in diverse media formats by examining electronic, print, propaganda, and mass media.

• 8.C.4.C

  Evaluate sources for their relationships, motives, intent, and content (e.g., social, emotional, commercial).

01

What Students Need to Do

Students identify persuasive techniques in media messages and explain how specific choices shape audience reactions. They compare the same information across print, video, social, and other formats. They evaluate who made each message, why it was made, and what interests may affect its content.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

Students correctly identify persuasive techniques and point to words, images, sounds, or omitted facts as evidence. They compare how two formats shape the same information. They explain who created each message, the intended audience, and the likely motive.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may label any strong opinion as propaganda or assume all biased messages are false. They often name a technique without citing specific words or images. They may also confuse a source's audience with its motive.

04

How to Assess It

Give students a print ad and a 30-second video ad for the same product. Ask them to identify one technique in each, cite evidence, and explain the source's motive.

1. 01

   Give groups printed ads to sort by persuasive technique, then have them underline or circle the evidence that supports each choice.

2. 02

   Ask students to write: How might the same news story affect readers differently as a headline, video clip, or social media post?

3. 03

   Play Technique Match by having teams pair message cards with technique cards and defend each match using one specific detail.

4. 04

   Compare a local news post, sponsored post, and company advertisement about one event, then identify each source's audience, motive, and missing information.

• 11.C.4

  The 11th Grade version of this standard.

• 12.C.4

  The 12th Grade version of this standard.

• 9.C.4

  The 9th Grade version of this standard.

• 5.C.4

  The 5th Grade version of this standard.