Find a
speech on Youtube which you can link to your blog.
Analyse the
speech under the following headings:
-Clarity of
delivery
-Message
-Command of
pitch
-Tone and articulation
-Eye contact
Write about: 1.Do
you think it was a good or bad presentation/speech?
2.Why do you think it is good or bad?
3.What points made were most effective in this presentation/speech?
4.How would you describe the body language of this presenter?
5.Do you think the slides used on the screen were effective if there were any úsed?How?
6.Were the statistics/facts in this presentation easily understandable?
7..How do you think the presenter prepared the presentation to make it relevant to
that audience?
8.Were there props in this presentation?
9.Was there any point where you were lost in the presentation?If so why do you
think this was?
10.Do you think the presenter achieved their aim with the presentation/speech?
Active Listening
As
a potential employee in a business, being able to demonstrate that you
can actively listen could be the difference in getting you hired or not.
Why? An employer will want to see that you can interact well with
customers as well as being able to work as a team and demonstrate a
capability for being able to handle conflict resolution. To do any of
these requires a degree of active listening.
When somebody is saying something to you, are you actually listening to what they are saying? Or are
you preoccupied with what you were going to say next? When you are a customer and ringing up
particular companies, do you feel listened to? Have you had to deal with automated phone answering
machines before you get through to a customer service representative? Are you dealing with a
customer representative in Ireland? Do you feel listened to more or less as a result? Is the customer
service representative more interested in listening to you or making a sale.
Active listening is a method of listening and responding appropriately to somebody else. It is where the focus of attention is on the speaker.
Customer service representatives are under enormous pressure from supervisors and management to
deal with customers within a certain time limit to meet company targets. The downside to this is
if customers don't feel listened to, they may simply never call again and switch their business. So in a
nutshell, your manner on the phone has the ability to make or lose money for the company you work for.
Active listening is an important skill to have, particuarly in The Samaritans
Active listening in your class exercise. Discuss:
Do you listen in class to your teachers?
Ever drift off? Get distracted?
Secretly texting under the desk or looking at Facebook when you
shouldn't be? Why? Is it because you were bored?
Do you find it easier to learn visually?
Would Powerpoint presentations help keep your interest?
Was the teachers delivery not interesting enough for you?
Did the teacher interact with the class or simply lecture?
Was the delivery of the topic too complicated or too simple?
Do you have difficulty recognising the real world benefit of the topic?
Did you have something else on your mind?
What happens you when this happens?
Do you ever regret not listening to your teacher?
How can you listen better?
What has that exercise got to do with the real world? Maybe the customer you are dealing with or their query is boring?
Maybe you are tired at work from going out the night before?
Maybe it's a busy day at work?
Maybe you are thinking about something else?
The distractions in your classroom can be similar to the ones you face at work.
Here is a tongue in cheek clip taken from the Channel 4 show, The I.T, crowd. Most of us have had to ring up at some stage about computer problems. How do you think active listening wasn't used in these examples?
Youtube Video The IT crowd - Truest moment about tech support
Ever wonder about the effect all the advertisements, promotions and special offers that we are bombarded with daily, influences us? Do you believe the messages you see? Does the media influence your concept of what it means to be a man or woman?
Have a class discussion regarding what you think images from the media define masculinity or feminity?
Are they positive or negative messages?
Do commercial companies exploit these images to sell their product or service?
Here are a few videos that may give you food for thought.They are American but since American media has such a profound effect on the films we watch, music we listen to or clothes many of us wear today in Ireland I thought they would be relevant.
Mass Media Influence On Females
Body image is an important topic for teenagers and young adults.Many want to fit in, yet there is criticism of the media regarding it's portrayal about what is acceptable in society.In numerous women's beauty magazines, there is overwhelming pressure on young women to slim down to weights which are often considered to have health risks.
Is it the magazine's fault for the negative interpretation or the consumer of the magazines?
Should magazines be more responsible for the positive image of women that they promote?
Do you think those magazines would be rewarded through sales?
A magazine company is in the business of selling magazines?
Would this help or hinder their sales?Would you buy the magazine?
This video was made by the Dove Self-esteem fund and has an interesting viewpoint on the beauty industry. Youtube video Beauty Pressure
Here is a video entitled Killing Us Softly 4 Advertisings image of women by Jean Kilbourne, where it gives a snapshot regarding how advertising is influencing statistics of violence in the USA.Many of the adverts shown we have already been exposed to in Ireland with our ability to access more globalised content through our TV subscription packages and access to the internet. Youtube Video Killing Us Softly 4: Advertising's Image of Women (Trailer)
Do you think adverts sell more than a product?
Do you see any adverts with negative effects for influencing children?
What responsibility should the beauty product company have?What responsibility should the parent have?
Are the media providing unhealthy, unrealistic expectations in terms of gender stereotypes?
Mass Media Influence On Males
The issue of masculinity in the media is not discussed as openly yet.Portrayals of what it means to be a man and more worryingly what it means not to be a man are discussed with frankness in this videoclip entitled Tough Guise:Media, Violence and the Crisis in Masculinity made by
www.mediaed.org Jackson Katz argues that widespread violence in American society, including the tragic school shootings in Littleton, Colorado, Jonesboro, Arkansas, and elsewhere, needs to be understood as part of an ongoing crisis in masculinity.
Is there anything in the video you agree or disagree with?
What do you think about the topic raised in this video?
Is media violence linked to crime?
What did you think about the statistics provided?
Do you think these trends would be similar in Ireland or not?
You Tube Video Tough Guise: Violence, Media and the Crisis in Masculinity
Can you protect your children from the effects of mass communication?Here is a clip from a documentary entitled Consuming Kids:The Commercialization of Childhood (Trailer)
Are we training our children to be better consumers?
What are the positive and negative implications of this?
Are we making it easier to be brainwashed by media?
Do you think companies are providing cars/holidays targeting children?
Do you think marketing products to children happens often in todays world?
Is there anything parents can do to protect their children?
Youtube Video Consuming Kids:The Commercialization of Childhood (Trailer)
The type of news we watch is often dependant on the information we want to find out about. For an extreme example, a militant racist may access news information which corresponds with their viewpoint. Or someone who is primarily interested in showbiz events may bot be as clued into current events. The same can be said if we are searching for unbiased news. You probably have heard of the concept of "spin", a way of twisting a story to match an existing viewpoint. As a result of the internet and satellite TV, we are no longer constrained by Irish news media to get our information. When you choose the news channel for your information ask yourself, is the story being slanted a certain way or is it unbiased?
Here is a clip from the first part of Michael Moore's Farenheit 9/11 movie. The first 7 or 8 mins deal with how the American news media handled the controversial George W, Bush v Al Gore presidential debate
So if you are curious about how the news works here is an example of how the news industry works in the US. Youtube Video How the fake news works
Uploaded by UpdocFilms on 18 Apr 2008
It is hard to prove bias in the news but some of the following hints may be helpful. When viewing a news story ask yourself:
1-Do the reporters cover the best points of both sides of the issue?
2-Are there facts omitted to preserve a certain viewpoint?
3-Are the studies being reported on coming from just one side?
4-Where is the news story placed in terms of other news story placements? (eg should the coverage of The Queen at a royal engagement be placed before coverage of a natural disaster?And does this relegate the impact of the natural disaster as it is on afterwards?)
5-Are there facts placed with a story to taint a guest?
6-Are the sources selected to cover the story biased?
7-Are certain aspects of Government policy given preference over other aspects of the same policy?
8-Are certain groups of people labelled or nicknamed? How does that influence your perception of who is being talked about?
9-Are reporters giving theor own policy reccommendations to Government?
10- Are minority groups being heard regarding a particularly relevant news report?
Can Bias Be Positive?
For example, an editorial or opinion poll can have a certain slant as it is openly acknowledging a certain viewpoint over another one.
Stories or statements which makes one side of a debate look bad if the information is accurate
Non Governmental policy stories which do not necessarily have to be balanced
Here Jon Stewart, is a guest on the show Crossfire and highlights the importance for news readers to spin stories in particular ways to suit their agenda. What do you think about this clip?
Are there examples in Irish news where coverage of a particular story was biased in your opinion?
Pleasse take the time to leave some feedback in the comments section
What was difficult in this task?
What did you learn?
Is there anything else that could have been included in the topic to make it easier for you to understand?
Was the topic explained well or not?
Are there any video links from Youtube that may also be useful? (if so please copy and paste the link in the comments section with a sentence explaining what it is)
Advertisements appear in different forms as they try to convince us to purchase their product, service or message. Types of advertising include: billboards, flyers, magazine and newspaper ads, TV and radio ads, cinema ads, online advertising such as web banners, the opening section of internet streaming audio and video (eg Youtube), pop-ups, email spam, blogs, advergames, ads on mobile phones, bus and airplane ads, in-flight ads (eg gift trolleys), train stations, public bathrooms, supermarket receipts, sales promotions and even human billboards.
1-Billboards
Billboards are large advertisements, often posters, sometimes digital, which display advertisements in public places to passers by. They are often located at the side of motorways. They are also placed in shopping centres, sports stadiums and popular public places. Some billboards rotate so they are showing a couple of different advertisements every few seconds. The development of mobile billboards where for example a company is hired to park or drive down a specific route advertising a product on its trailer is also becoming more popular. An exciting example of a mobile billboards is an airplane towing an advertisement above a sports game.
A human billboard is where someone wears or holds an advertisement. Some individuals have even been known to be paid to advertise a company tattoo on their body! Human billboards are often around where there is heavy motor traffic. They have been used to advertise houses for sale, pizza and fast food outlets as well as numerous other types of products, services or messages.
Exercise 1 Class Discussion: Am I a human billboard?
Have you worn a t-shirt with a bands name or company logo?
Is there a company logo on your jeans or footwear? Your bag etc
Does this make you a human billboard?
What are you getting out of this?
What is the company getting out of this?
2-Flyers
Flyers are usually a single sheet document used for commercially advertising a product, service or message. They are often found in newsagents, hotels, restaurants, libraries, doctor’s offices and hairdressers. Their target audience is the casual passer by.
3-Magazine and Newspaper Ads
Magazine advertisements target a very specific group of people. The advertiser knows from the type of magazine who precisely will read their advert.Magazines often use celebrity endorsements to sell their product. Some magazines also feature sponsored articles with specific adverts linked to the story. Classified advertising also allows private individuals or businesses to promote a product, service or message for a reasonably low fee. They are usually placed in the back of newspapers and magazines as well as free local newspapers.
The majority of TV ads are usually 30 seconds long and use music or a jingle to help the audience associate a mood or feeling with the product. Companies who wish to advertise on television pay high prices at times during peak programs. It is still seen as one of the most popular ways to advertise to a mass audience. Recent developments such as sponsorship of popular TV programs are becoming more commonplace eg Coronation Street being sponsored by Cadburys or Game Of Thrones being sponsored by Blackberry on Sky Atlantic. Also digitally inserted ads are becoming more commonplace in sports programs. Due to the hundreds of channels available today, it is harder for advertisers to reach a mass audience. Some advertisements have the budget of a film. Here is one of the most expensive adverts ever made.
Exercise 2 Pair discussion: Who sponsors what?
Name your favorite soap or sports programme and the advertisements which surround it?
Identify the target audience
Report what each other have said
5-Infomercials
Infomercials are a longer TV ad, usually 5 minutes or longer. An infomercial is the combination of the words information and commercial. A telephone hotline or company web address is usually displayed throughout the infomercial. The goal is to give enough information about the product so that the viewer will make an impulse purchase, often with their credit card. Television Audience Measurement Ireland (TAM) reveals that Irish adult TV viewers are spending almost three and a half hours watching television everyday.
6-Radio Advertising
The advertising through radio is restricted to sound through air waves from a transmitting device (eg radio station) through an antennae to a receiving device (eg car radio). Radio is often used by internet users while using the internet online or by people travelling to and from work. Companies who wish to advertise on radio stations have to purchase “air-time” to play their commercials. Specific actors with distinctive voices are used for radio ads.
7-In-store Advertising
In-store advertising is advertising placed within a shopping centre or convenience store.Products are deliberately placed in areas of the store to attract the attention of a potential buyer. In-store advertising can include carefully arranged displays, posters or promotions or samples. Sweets used to be placed at check out areas in order for children to “pester” their parents into buying the item for them. Due to a parental backlash, stores had to remove sweets from this area. Breads and baked products are mostly placed at the entrance of the store. Their aroma, which promotes a feelgood factor in the customer, has been proven to encourage customers to spend more. Products that are heavily promoted are usually at eye level or at the end of shopping aisles. Cheaper products are often found at foot level. Manufacturers often have to pay stores for premier product placement.
8-Online Advertising
Online ads are delivered by an ad server through the internet to attract customers. There are a variety of types of online advertisements.
Sponsored Search Engine Results:
Adverts can come up in sponsored search results, where companies have paid the search engine to display their product or service when a user types in a particular search.
b. Web banner ad:
Where an advert is embedded in a webpage.The advert is often a click through where the viewer is taken to the company website for more information. The original webpage’s reason to allow the advertisement is to direct more traffic to the website.
c.Social Network Advertising and Blogs
Social network advertising and blogs are a form of advertising which takes place on social networking sites. Websites such as Facebook, Twitter, Bebo, MySpace, LinkedIn and Yelp and blogs such as Blogspot and Wordpress and numerous others have a lot of benefits to advertisers. The everyday user of a social network profile is actively putting up online content about their likes, hobbies and interests. Advertisers can target their ads more preciselu to those who could be interested in their products. They can collect information about the type of users who like their product or service. Certain social network sites can influence others to purchase similar products. Word of mouth is seen as a more reliable review of a product than a traditional advertisement. For example if Lady Gaga or Stephen Fry were to endorse a certain product on their Twitter accounts they may influence a variety of ans of theirs to make similar purchases.
d. Streaming online audio or video ads
On websites such as Youtube in order to view certain videos viewers are forced to sit through an advert before viewing their intended video. Often viewers have the option to skip the advert after a few seconds.
e.Email Spam/Junk Mail
Where the user of an email account receives emails from businesses or individuals they didn’t request advertising a specific product or service. Often identical messages are sent to numerous people by email. Networks of virus infected computers are used to send most spam. Perhaps spam has been sent by your computer without you even knowing it! E-mail addresses are collected over chatrooms, websites, customer lists of companies and social networking sites. Clicking on links sent by spam can increase the risks of viruses on your computer.
f.Email Marketing
Email marketing differs from spam in the sense that the information may have been requested by the user. Email marketing is used to build loyalty with existing or potential customers, often sending out special deals to customers who have already purchased products with them. They often send out information relating to their product or industry so that they will be seen as the leading expert of information relating to this sector.
g.Advergames
Advergames is the mixture of the words advertising and games.There are various types of advergames. Some companies integrate their products or services into the game or encourage the user to play the game to avail of a special deal (eg Vodafone’s Cherry Points game). EA Games often use advertisements in their sports games. Product placements are also becoming increasingly popular and profitable in online roleplaying videogames such as World of Warcraft where virtual items are worth real money. Free trials of games can also be downloaded to encourage and to advertise the purchase of a full version of a game. Free games such as America’s Army have been used as an army recruitment tool in the USA.
9-Cinema Advertising
Apart from advertising trailers for the latest new releases and advertisements for products and services before the movie, during the film there may be varying elements of product placement, particuarly in big blockbuster films. Films such as James Bond’s “Skyfall”, “The Matrix”, “Waynes World” and numerous other titles have certain products strategically placed within the film. The advertising isn’t obvious. However, unconsciously the viewer will associate the product with the feelgood factor of the film.
Outdoor advertising on footpaths and street furniture. Street ads are an extension of billboard advertisements as they are seen outdoors in public places.
11-Celebrity Endorsements
Advertisements harness the popularity of celebrities to sell products. When a celebrity is showcased wearing a particular brand of watch, jewellery or clothes this enhances the allure of the product. Particular celebrities such as David Beckham, George Clooney, Nicole Kidman are highly sought after and command large fees. Recent Olympic star’s such as Victoria Pendleton have been used to endorse shampoo. However, if a celebrity misbehaves or becomes less popular, they lose their sponsorship. They may have been paid to endorse this product though. Product’s capitalise on a popular celebrity being part of their advertising campaign. The risk to the company is if the celebrity has engaged in bad behaviour or has become less popular.
12-Corporate Mascots are characters, often cartoons associated with a product. Examples are Tony The Tiger with Frosties, Ronald McDonald with McDonalds, Energizer Bunny with Duracell batteries. Mascots are often associated with computer products, for example the red fox from Mozilla Firefox or Clippy from Microsoft Word. Sports teams also utilise mascots to publicise their brand and encourage merchandise shopping. The advantage a mascot has over a celebrity endorsement is that they never age, change or misbehave.
13-Sales Promotions
Sales promotions use product giveaways to advertise. Examples would be buy one get one free, coupons, loyalty cards, contests or games. These promotions increase customer interest in a product and they also encourage loyalty.
The 6 Steps a Consumer Makes Before Purchasing
Awareness The consumer needs to know the product exists.
Knowledge The consumer becomes more educated about the product.
Liking The consumer is enticed by the promises and hopes the product offers.
Preference The consumer chooses this product over similar competitors because of the value this product offers.
Conviction The consumer believes and trusts in the product.
Purchase The consumer decides to part with money for the product
Write out twice the 6 steps a consumer makes before purchasing.
Write down the 13 types of advertisements in your own words with examples where possible.
Look at the following adverts below and write about one of them under the following headings: setting, props, people, faces, lifestyle, values, colours used, the logo and the copy
Lynx “Unleash The Chaos” advertisement (2012)
TNT “We know drama” advertisement (2012)
Exercise 6 My Presentation
Choose an advert you like, show it to the class and make a 2 minute presentation under the following headings:
scenes, props, people, faces, lifestyle, values, colours used, the logo and the copy
Celebrity Endorsements
Class Discussion: Pepsi
Pepsi are reknowned for their use of celebrity endorsements with their product.
Why do you think they do this? How are they trying to persuade the consumer to purchase?
Pepsi Advertisement “We Will Rock You”
Pepsi “Football Warriors”
Homework
Create a poster for the benefits of using the iPad in school. Use Pages.
You may wish to download an app from the app store to help you do this
You will make a presentation on Wednesday discussing props, people, lifestyle, faces, values, colors used and discuss the copy.
