Identifying the Purpose of the Message

ELAL Learning Outcome (Knowledge) - Creators share messages for  different reasons (purposes), including entertainment, learning, and instructions.

This lesson encourages students to recognize and identify distinguishing elements of messages that inform, persuade, and entertain.  Why it is important to know the differences and how do we respond to each type of message?

Lesson:

Objective: Students will view and identify the elements of three different types of messages - messages that inform, persuade, and entertain. 

Media samples:

Food advertisements (example of persuasion) - The Travis Scott McDonald's Meal

Entertainment messages (example) - Tom and Jerry

Informative messages (example) - Natural Disasters Compilation - the Dr. Binocs show

I have picked three examples but teachers should choose samples that are relevant to their students. Because media is constantly changing, these samples will be obsolete in a very short period of time. Also I have chosen samples that could be viewed by students to fit in more than one category. This is deliberate as media messages are complex and ever-evolving. Students are encouraged to regularly identify the purpose of what they are viewing and to identify familiar as well as new elements. 

Key Questions:

What do you think the purpose of this message is? Why do you think that?

What makes this message entertainment? Informative? or Persuasive? List the elements that distinguish each one.

Why do we need to know the purpose of a message? Does knowing the purpose help us know how to respond?

Activity and discussion:

After watching each of the three media samples, have students work in small groups to discuss what elements describe this media sample and then share to the larger group. Post each list in a visible place in the classroom to be referred to and added to at a later time.

For a deeper discussion: For the second part of this lesson, ask students why they think it's important to know the difference. How do we respond to advertisements or persuasion? Do we need to be aware of what the creators do to persuade us?  How do we respond to informative messages? How do we respond to this type of message? How do we respond to entertainment? What should we be aware of when responding to this type of message?

While Grade 2 students will have different levels of understanding and depth, this is a starter conversation that is meant to be repeated as they grow and as they view more and more complex messages.