What would you send him?: Activity 1

Adverts

Introduction

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> Discuss whether the images in the adverts are realistic representations of the front line? Would men be smiling and happy? Discuss the misinterpretations of what the front line was really like.

> Discuss the impressions within the images. Who are they aimed at, men or women? Why? Do the students think that the products in these adverts are essential items or luxury items? Ask the students whether they think it is morally right to have an advert that plays on people's worries during wartime.

> Compare Sunlight Soap with OXO

Discuss the similarities in the language and content
Do the students think that the accounts are true?
Do these adverts make the students want to buy the product?
Which advert do they think is the most effective and why?

> Look at Gong Soups, Wright's Soap and Xmas is Near

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Discuss the similarities in the adverts i.e. bold images. The language isn't too complicated and doesn't embellish too much.
Discuss what is a sentimental design.

 

Task

Divide the class into three groups. Each group will design and make a wartime advert for a bar of soap, but will take a different perspective.Group A will greatly exaggerate the soaps properties, Group B will have a sentimental design but not embellish the properties of the soap too much and C will be honest and not embellish at all.

Group A
Design and make an advert for a bar of soap to go in a ration pack. It must persuade families to buy the product. The language and design must be similar to the OXO and Sunlight Soap adverts so that they have a testimony from someone who uses it and it should describe the amazing properties of the product. It should be in black and white.

Group B
Design and make an advert for a bar of soap. It must be similar to the Wright's advert and colourful. It should have a bold image. It can describe the product but not embellish it. It must have a sentimental design.

Group C
Design and make an advert for a bar of soap. It must be honest. It cannot lie or embellish. Use a simple design. Students can decide to have it colourful or not. It should have a realistic design.

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Plenary

Ask the students to show their adverts.

Discuss with the students the different type of adverts for example adverts that are honest and adverts that embellish beyond recognition.

Discuss with the students the design they prefer.

Discuss which type of advert should be used during wartime.

Should it embellish and make the product seem better than it is so that people spend the little money they have on it or should it be honest and run the risk that no one buys it?