This is a terrific activity that can work great for drama students, but it could also be incorporated into any class that involves writing, advertising, or public speaking. It works best with a full classroom, between 18 and 30 participants. As a teacher, I often use this activity at the beginning of the semester because it serves as a terrific ice-breaker, and it creates a fun and productive classroom environment.
How To Play:
First the instructor (or the facilitator of the activity) should arrange the participants into groups of four or five. Then, the instructor informs the groups that they are no longer merely students but they are top-notch, highly successful advertising executives.
Explain that advertising executives know how to use persuasive writing in commercials, making the audience experience a wide variety of emotions. Ask the participants to share examples of commercials that they remember. Did the commercials make them laugh? Did they inspire hope, fear, or hunger?
Once the groups have discussed a few examples, explain that they will now be given an illustration of a strange object; each group receives a unique illustration. (Note: You may wish to draw these random objects – which should be odd shapes that could be a multitude of different things — on the chalkboard, or you could give each group a hand-written illustration).
Once each group has received an illustration, they must then do the following:
- Decide the function of the object (Perhaps invent a brand new product.)
- Give the product a name.
- Create a 30 – 60 second commercial script with multiple characters.
- The commercial should generate a specific emotion to persuade the audience.
After the writing process has been completed, give the groups five to ten minutes to practice performing the commercial. It isn’t too important for them to memorize the lines; they can have the script in front of them, or use improvisation to get them through the material.
Note: For less outgoing students who do not wish to stand in front of classmates, they could create a “radio commercial” which could be read from their seats.
Presentation Time:
Once the groups have spent enough time creating and practicing their advertisement, it is time to perform. Each group takes a turn presenting their commercial. Before each performance, the instructor may wish to show the rest of the class the illustration. After the commercial is performed, the instructor may offer follow-up questions such as: “What persuasive strategy did you use?” or “What emotions were you trying to make your audience feel?”
Most of the time, the groups try to generate laughter, creating very funny, tongue-in-cheek commercials. Once in a while, however, a group creates a commercial that is dramatic, even thought-provoking, such as a public service announcement against smoking.
Try this ice-breaker activity out in your classrooms or drama group. The participants will have fun, all the while learning about the persuasive nature of advertising.
