Tales from the Trail

Objectives
1.To understand how advertisement is used to influence voters during a political election.

2.To emphasize the importance of verifying the accuracy of statements made in political advertisements to ensure that you are making an informed decision.

Materials


	DVD Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: Tales from the Trail


	Computer with Internet access


	Candidates� websites


	FactCheck.org website


	White board or chalk board

Prior to viewing the Program:

�Discuss the various ways that candidates �get the word out� about their campaigns (TV ads, televised debates, appearances on news and other TV shows, websites, other)

�Ask students about the 2008 Presidential election and what they have heard about each of the candidate? What are the good things that you have heard about each of the candidates? What are some negative things that you have heard?

�Ask students do they believe that what they see on television about the candidates is always truthful. Ask students to give an example of something they have seen on TV (either on ads or on televised debates) that they suspect is not totally true.

�Write the words MISLEADING and DECEPTIVE on the board and discuss their meanings with the class.

�Discuss how a big part of the political campaign trail is using the media by the candidates to inform voters of their position on issues. Also discuss how media is also used to show how one candidate shows how they differ from the other candidate.

Show the Program

�Discuss how candidate create ads that target a particular issue (i.e. Iraq war, healthcare, etc.) to show how they are different from the other candidate.

�Discuss what is a NEGATIVE ad. Why do you think that candidates use negative ads?

�Discuss how important is it to you that candidates are honest? Why is honesty important?

Submitted by: The Center for Governmental Studies