Thursday, February 21, 2013

Monday, Feb 25 public relations project day 1


marketing, advertising, public relations, branding

Journalism
Public Relations Project
Take your time to read the following, before asking questions.
You will need to refer back to this throughout the project.
checklist: 1. assemble of group of 2 or 3 people. (I will facilitate this, if needed.)
                  2.choose your non-profit organization (there is a list at the end of the blog; if you have something else in mind, make sure it is a non-profit organization, a 501-c)
                 3. make sure Parker has this information (no duplicates in a class; this is due today!)
                 4. research your organization as to its history, finances, effectiveness and current projects. Have each member look at a different site, take notes and compare. Look for statistical information. One member should write up a synopis of this information (200 word minimum; incorporate textual evidence; at the close use correct sitations. If plagarizing occurs, everyone in your group will receive a zero for this part of the project.)
                5. one minute PSA: script and either filmed or live performance (directions / samples below)
                6. Press release with a list of 5 possible news sources  (including contact information). (directions and samples below)This will be for a small fundraiser, the details of which you will work out in step 7.
                7. Fund raiser. The emphasis here in on realistic.  (See number 7 below for details)
                8. Lastly, you will two of the following as promotional items:    poster, brochure, t-shirt or print ad or something else imaginative.
Time Frame: All material is due on Wednesday, March 6 at the beginning of class. Please put all your work in a folder with your organization on the cover, along with the individuals in your group. Presentations will take place on March 6, 7 and 8. It will consist of the following: a two minute extemporaneous (that means nothing written down) talk on the background of your organization, a public service announcement and your tchotchkes.  
            Grading: Background information -writing
                              PSA - writing
                              Press release- writing
                              Tchotchkes- homework times 2 (that's 10% of the whole marking period. I'm required to have a grade here.)
                               Fund raiser- class participation grade
                               Presentation- class presentation grade
                               Grade your partners- class participation grade
            As this is a group assignment, your fortunes are interwined. If any part of the project is missing on Wednesday, March 6, that part of your grade is a zero. As well, if you are absent for the presentation, your partner(s) are expected to be able to fill in. This is an extensive project that requires solid communication skills among the group. You have 7 class days. Use them productively.
                             
            
                 
                

What is Public Relations? It seems difficult to believe in the 21st century that there exists a major discipline with so many diverse, partial, incomplete and limited interpretations of its mission. Here is just a sampling of professional opinion on what public relations is all about:

1. talking to the media on behalf of a client.
2. selling a product, service or idea.
3. reputation management.
4. engineering of perception
5. attracting credit to an organization for doing good.
6. limiting the downside when it goes bad.

By definition, public relations is the art and science of establishing relationships between an organization and its key audiences. Public relations plays a key role in helping business industries create strong relationships with customers.

Brief History of PR

Public relations arrived with the development of mass media. At the turn of the 20th century, "muckraking" journalists were stirring up public dissent against the powerful monopolies and wealthy industrialists who ruled the day. Early public relations firms combated the bad press by placing positive stories about their clients in newspapers.

Former journalists, such as Ivy Lee, used the first press releases to feed newspapers "the facts" about his misunderstood clients, namely the railroad and tobacco industries, and J.D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil.
Lee and company became so good at whitewashing even the darkest corporate sins that PR professionals earned a reputation as "spin doctors."

Much time has passed since the days of Ivy Lee, and to label today's PR professionals as dishonest would be to ignore how pervasive and important their work has become to people and organizations of all shapes and sizes -- small businesses, authors, activists, universities, and non-profit organizations -- not just big business and big government.


There are different types of public relations; some companies call it investor relations and yet others will call it financial public relations, but what some companies do not realize is the fact that public relations is an extremely essential and integral marketing tool.

Essentially, the general idea of public relations is advertising, branding and marketing. Anything that involves the media is the responsibility of the public relations officer. He encourages magazines, newspapers, radio and TV to print or air good things about the services and the products. This promotion will reach their targeted customers; therefore generating an increase in sales and patronage.

People act on their perception of the facts; those perceptions lead to certain behaviors; and something can be done about those perceptions and behaviors that leads to achieving an organization’s objectives.

That leads us directly to the core strength of public relations.

When public relations create, change or reinforce the general opinion by reaching, persuading and moving-to-desired-action those people whose behaviors affect the organization, the public relations mission is accomplished.


Public Relations, Marketing and Advertising ?

You will often find that many people confuse public relations with marketing and/or advertising or vice versa. The most apparent reason for this is that the clear-cut distinctions are disappearing as each strategy’s different awareness building efforts become more and more integrated. While all those components are important, they are very different.

Please take a look at the image at the top to note the differences.

5. Public Service Announcement of one minute. Each group will turn in one PSA. It will be a typed script. As well, this will be either filmed or performed for the class.  Assume a radio broadcast, so visuals will not be necessary; however, it is all the more important that your use clear imagery in your script.
   OK, so how do I write a PSA?  Look below, I've given you several examples!

#1 What is a PSA or public service announcement?



Unlike a press release, a public service announcement is usually transmitted electronically, via radio or television in a short spot of ten to sixty seconds. A requirement of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is that stations donate a certain amount of airtime to serve the public and the community. Most public radio and TV stations have a community calendar for which they will announce events to the public. Health or safety tips are included within this public service requisite.
A public service announcement typically heralds a community event, usually, but not always, for a non-profit organization. Commercial groups can also announce non-profit events or services. If you just want a pre-event plug, the community calendar is where you should direct your PSA. Many local newspapers also have community calendars so PSA’s are not limited to electronic media.
Note, although I have given you several short ones, you will be creating a 60 PSA. Pay attention to the written format.

The following are some examples of public service announcements for the ABATE, an organization in Arkansas that defends the rights of motorcyclists.


Public Service Announcements:

10 Second PSA: WE COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, BUT WE TRAVEL DOWN THE SAME ROAD. LOOK FOR MOTORCYCLES & SHARE THE ROAD. THIS MESSAGE BROUGHT TO YOU BY ABATE of ARKANSAS, www.arkansasabate.org

15 Second PSA: DID YOU KNOW THAT 75% OF MULTIPLE VEHICLE ACCIDENTS INVOLVING MOTORCYCLES WERE THE FAULT OF THE OTHER PERSON? DON'T BE PART OF THAT DEADLY STATISTIC, LOOK FOR MOTORCYCLES & SHARE THE ROAD. THIS MESSAGE BROUGHT TO YOU BY ABATE of ARKANSAS, www.arkansasabate.org

20 Second PSA: APPROXIMATELY 75% OF THE MULTI-VEHICLE ACCIDENTS INVOLVING MOTORCYCLES WERE THE FAULT OF THE OTHER PERSON. MOST OF THOSE DRIVERS SAID THEY DID NOT SEE THE MOTORCYCLE. DON'T BE PART OF THAT DEADLY STATISTIC. LOOK FOR MOTORCYCLES & SHARE THE ROAD. THIS MESSAGE BROUGHT TO YOU BY ABATE of ARKANSAS, www.arkansasabate.org

30 Second PSA: DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO RIDES A MOTORCYCLE? CHANCES ARE GOOD THAT YOU SEE MOTORCYCLE RIDERS WHEN YOU ARE BEHIND THE WHEEL. FOR THE REST OF YOU, YOUR CHANCES OF BEING THE PERSON WHO HITS A MOTORCYCLE RIDER JUST WENT UP 300%. THAT'S RIGHT, YOU ARE 3 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO HIT SOMEONE RIDING A MOTORCYCLE JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH SOMEONE WHO RIDES THEM. DON'T BE PART OF THAT DEADLY STATISTIC. LOOK FOR MOTORCYCLES & SHARE THE ROAD. THIS MESSAGE BROUGHT TO YOU BY ABATE of ARKANSAS, http://www.arkansasabate.org/



Here are some more PSA examples; this time from National Public Radio
Thank you
(15 seconds)

Hello, my name is _______________, a teacher at ____________.

Thank you for supporting your local public school.

Together, we're making great public schools for every child. That is America's promise.

Celebrate American Education Week with us, November 13th through 19th.

A message from (station call letters) and the (local association name).

______________________

A Community

(15 seconds)

This week, November 13th through 19th, is American Education Week.

A good time to remember that caring teachers, education support professionals, substitute educators, and involved parents make the difference in a child's learning.

Together, we're making great public schools for every child. That's a dream we're working to make a reality.

A message from (station call letters) and the (local association name).

______________________

Watch Them Learn

(15 seconds)

Visit your neighborhood school during American Education Week, November 13th through 19th.

Watch children learning to think, solve problems, and cooperate on projects.

Better yet . . . ask how you can help reinforce their learning skills beyond the classroom.

Together, we are making great public schools for every child. That is America's Promise.

A message from (station call letters) and the (local association name).

_____________________

Teachers in America

(30 seconds)

America's public school teachers equip our youngsters with many skills.

They teach students to read and do math.

They teach children history and science.

They help them learn how to solve problems, resolve conflicts and cooperate with each other.

Teachers care about how and what their students learn.

Teachers want all of them to succeed.

Just like you--their parents and community members.

Please . . . come into our classrooms and see how we are fulfilling America's promise by making great public schools for every child.

Celebrate American Education Week, November 13th through 19th.

A message from (station call letters) and the (association name).

_____________________

What I Like Best (script for children's voices)

(60 seconds)

Girl #1: What I like best about my school is my classroom teacher, (name), because he/she taught me how to read (name of book). When I grow up, I'm going to write a book.

Boy #1: What I like best about my classes is how we learn to solve problems and work together as a team. I can do a lot of things by myself, but I like being able to help others and work together to get a project done.

Girl #2: What I like best is biology--studying chromosomes and DNA. After I go to college, I'm going to medical school and become a doctor. If I could find the cure for cancer or diabetes or AIDS, that would be like totally awesome!

Boy #2: I'm not sure what I like best about my school. It's a toss-up--I like history, art and gym. Who knows? Maybe I'll be a historian. Or design computer graphics. Or be a basketball player. My mom, though, she'd like me to be a teacher.

Announcer: America's schools teach children to think, cooperate, solve problems, and much more.

Visit a school during American Education Week, November 13th through 19th, and see the future taking shape, one student at a time!

A message from (station call letters) and the (association name).

______________________

All the Difference

(60 seconds)

Sometimes one teacher can make all the difference:

A teacher who stays after school to help you understand an algebra problem.

A coach who tells you that you can do it--and gets you to run faster than you've ever run before.

A teacher who pushes you to do things you didn't think you could do--write a poem, create an algorithm, play a Bach sonata.

Sometimes one day in school can make the difference for a lifetime.

The day you learn how to read.

The day you win an award in the science fair.

The day you start thinking "I can" instead of "I can't."

November 13th through 19th is American Education Week, a time for celebrating the crucial differences that educators make in young lives.

The classroom is where students learn to think, solve problems, and cooperate with each other.

These skills are critical in shaping the future of America.

This week, visit your child's classroom and show your support.

Whether it's thanking a teacher, reading to kindergartners, or talking with high school students about your work, your support can make all the difference!

A message from (station call letters) and the (association name).

______________________

______________________

All the Difference

(60 seconds)

Sometimes one person can make a difference:

A classroom aide who stays after school to help you understand an algebra problem.

A crossing guard who assists your child across a busy street.

A computer technician who retrieves your once lost term paper from a disk.

November 16th is National Education Support Professionals Day, a time for celebrating the crucial differences that education support professionals make in young lives.

The school building is where students learn to think, solve problems and cooperate with each other.

These skills are critical in shaping the future of America.

This week, visit your child's school and show your support.

Whether it's thanking an Educational Support Professional, reading to kindergarteners, or talking with high school students about your work, your support can make all the difference!

A message from (station call letters) and the (association name).
 







 


6   press release, publicizing a related event
What is a press release? Welcome to the 24-hour news cycle, where daily newspapers, round-the-clock TV stations and thousands of news blogs compete to feed our voracious appetite for the latest, most engaging and most outrageous news.

Every day isn't a big news day, so journalists sometimes scramble to fill airtime and column space with fresh and timely stories. That's where press releases come in.

Concisely written and targeted, press releases draw media attention to newsworthy events. Mainly used by public relations specialists, press releases are written to gain free publicity and contain enough information required to write a compelling news story.

A press release is a short, compelling news story written by a public relations professional and sent to targeted members of the media. The goal of a press release is to pique the interest of a journalist or publication. The press release should contain all the essential information (who? what? where? when? how? and most importantly why?) for the journalist to easily produce his own story. 
A press release must be useful, accurate and interesting; they are in actuality "cookie cutter". Once you get the hang of writing them, all you do is fill in the blanks, as press releases conform to an established format. Journalists receive so many releases a day, they have set standards and expectations that you must conform to just to have your release read, let alone published.


Press Release Format

Read and follow carefully.
Press releases should be printed on company letterhead. (Use the logo of the organization you have chosen) The organization's name, web address, location address and phone number should be printed clearly at the top of the page. PRESS RELEASE should be spelled out in all CAPS and centered in bold. The press release contact person's name (that's you) should be underneath the wording and all contact numbers printed clearly underneath. (Use the school's number) If the press release is for IMMEDIATE RELEASE, say so, on the left margin directly above the title in all caps.

Title

The next essential component of the press release is the Headline or Title. It should be centered, and in bold. The heading of the press release should capture the journalist. The title of the press release should be short and snappy, and hopefully grabbing the attention of the journalist and impressing them enough to read on.
You are now ready for the useful, accurate and interesting BODY of the PR. The body of the press release begins with the date and city for which the press release is originated. The body of the press release is very basic; who, what, where, when and why.
The first paragraph of the press release should contain in brief detail what the press release is about.

The second paragraph explains, in detail: who cares; why you should care; where one can find it; when it will happen. Also, included in the second ‘informative’ paragraph is generally a quote that gives the release a personal touch. Touchy-feelies go a long way with journalists. Press releases and news stories are boring to journalists without a ‘human interest’.

The third and generally final paragraph is a summation of the release and further information on your event with the event's coordinator's (someone in your group) contact information clearly spelled out.

The content of the press release, beginning with the date and city of origin, should be typed in a clear, basic font (Times New Roman, Arial, etc.) and double-spaced. If your press release exceeds one page, the second page should indicate ‘ Page Two’ in the upper right hand corner. (Yours will only be one page) Journalistic standards have set basic parameters to define the end of a press release: ###. Three # symbols, centered directly underneath the last line of the release indicate the end of a it.

Checklist


  • Company Letterhead, Name, Address, Phone Number, Web Address
  • PRESS RELEASE in all caps
  • Contact Person’s Name
  • Immediate Release or Release Date(all caps)
  • HEADLINE or TITLE in BOLD/CAPS
  • BODY-Date/City-who,what,when,where and why.
  • Catchy Text
  • Sum it up…
  • Basic Font, Double Spaced, Page Numbers, and ###
Here is an example of an event press release, which is mostly like the format you will use. Don't forget the logo
Morning Mist Health Foods
2 Foodroad, FL 35367
www.morningmist.com
Phone– 555.555.5555
Fax – 555.555.5555
Info@morningmist.com

PRESS RELEASE


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Manny Squire
Office: 555.555.5555
Pager: 555.555.5555

Morning Mist Health Foods Inaugurates College Town Marathon


Morning Mist Health Foods Inc. had its beginnings in Chapel Hill, NC. Now the national chain has returned to the college town to sponsor the First Annual Chapel Hill-Durham Marathon. The race will take place on April, 27th and has already attracted many well-known marathoners, including multi-race winners Herb Putkin and Shelly Walters.

“Morning Mist is all about health and staying young,” said company CEO Manny Squire, “What better way to give back than to have a road race between these two great college towns.”

Morning Mist was founded by Squire and college roommate Tracy Scroggins as a small health food store in Chapel Hill near the University of North Carolina campus. The company grew to several stores in the Raleigh area, including one in Durham near Duke University. Morning Mist has expanded to forty-five full-size grocery stores nationwide.

“The race will start in front of the Duke store and follow highway 501 to the original Chapel Hill store,” said company president Scroggins. “We hope this becomes a great tradition”.

Morning Mist Health Food was founded in 1989. It is headquartered in Raleigh, NC, and employs 12,500 people in the US and Canada. It is listed on NASDAQ as MMHF.

###

 

Example 2

CityScape Communications
447 North Walnut Springfield, IL 62703
www.cityscape.net
Phone– 217.535.1010
Fax – 217.535.1009
Info@cityscape.net

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Luan Aten
Office: 217.535.1010
Pager: 217.622.0134

CityScape Communications Forges Strategic Alliance with EduNet to Offer School Fundraising

Springfield, IL December 30, 1998 – CityScape Communications has signed a strategic alliance with EduNet of Springfield, IL. EduNet offers fundraising solutions to school systems in Illinois by reselling Internet services.
CityScape Communications will provide the Internet service, technical support and billing. School children will solicit family, friends and neighbors to sign up for Internet service to support their school system.
The EduNet fundraising solution provides school systems a much higher return than traditional fundraisers such as candy sales. CityScape Communications President and Chief Technical Officer Steve Horrighs, Jr. stated, “We are very happy to have formed an alliance with EduNet. We feel strongly that this fundraising program will benefit schools, not just by raising much needed funding, but also by offering affordable and reliable Internet services to communities that do not yet have access to the Internet.
CityScape Communications is a ‘total solutions provider’ offering expert data networking consulting, design, implementation and maintenance. CityScape Communications provides a wide range of data and telecommunications services, including Internet services, professional web site design, telephone systems and voice mail applications. For further information, contact Luan Aten at 888-248-9722.

###
 

example 3:
OUR MISSION IS STUDENT SUCCESS…ACADEMIC, ARTISTIC, AND HUMANISTIC

45 Prince Street at University                                Rochester, NY  14607                          585-242-7682
 

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2013
Contact: Adele Fico, Art Center Director
              585-242-7682 ext. 1551


SCHOOL OF THE ARTS DRAMA DEPARTMENT
INVITED TO PERFORM IN SCOTLAND FOR SECOND TIME!

Rochester, NY –The School of the Arts interim principal Kelly Nicastro announced today that SOTA’s Drama Department has been selected to perform at the 2014 American High School Theatre Festival (AHSTF) in Edinburgh, Scotland. The AHSTF is part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the largest and most prestigious arts festival in the world. This is the second time that School of the Arts has been selected to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In 2011, fifteen SOTA students were honored to participate. The SOTA Drama Department will spend the next year and half preparing for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Under the direction of SOTA Drama Department faculty member, Lorie Dengler Dewey, SOTA’s performance will be showcased at the AHSTF in August 2014.

Each August, Edinburgh, Scotland, becomes the one of the most magical places on earth as performing artists from all over the world take part in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.  The whole city becomes a stage and visitors can view performances everywhere from playgrounds to conference rooms, from city parks to churches.  The Fringe Festival includes more than 2,000 different performances of music, theatre, dance, and comedy during its three-week run. 

SOTA, long recognized for its entertaining and innovative productions, was selected by the AHSFT Board of Advisors. Made up of college theatre professionals, the AHSTF Board reviews all completed applications and identifies the top high schools based on their most recent bodies of work, awards, community involvement, philosophies and recommendations.

SOTA drama students, their parents and teachers will conduct a variety of fundraising activities to finance this two-week educational, cultural exchange to Scotland and England. Friends of School of the Arts have set up a special account where all donations and proceeds from the various fundraising events will be kept for the Fringe Festival 2014. Contributions and donations are welcome. For more information contact: Adele Fico, Art Center Director at 585-242-7682 x1551 or Lorie Dengler Dewey at 585-242-7682 ext.2240 or 585-233-0338.

###

7. Fundraiser  Your group will raise funds, while promoting your organization.
                 checklist: what is your objective? financial goals? awareness?
                                   What do you wish to do? book signing? community get-together, discussion panel, sing along?
                                   How realistic is this in terms of time, organization and cost?
                                    Where and when will this take place? How much will the locale cost? Is there food? Activities? Seating? Paper goods/ cutlery? Entertainment? Again, how much? Charging folks?
                                The group will submit a detailed plan that will address all of the above.






Below is a list of non-profits. It is by no means all-inclusive; so if you have something else in mind, let me know; otherwise, choose from the list.

Advocacy Groups for Human Rights and Civil Liberties
•American Civil Liberties Union
•Americans United for Separation of Church and State
•Amnesty International
•Anti-Defamation League
•Association on American Indian Affairs
•B'nai B'rith International
•Children's Defense Fund
•Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
•The Carter Center
•Center for Constitutional Rights
•Committee for Missing Children
•Doctors of the World
•Human Rights Watch
•NAACP
Animal RightsBecome an ASPCA Volunteer •African Wildlife Foundation
•American Humane Association
•American Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
•Animal Legal Defense Fund
•Animal Welfare Institute
•Associated Humane Societies
•Best Friends Animal Society
•Born Free United with Animal Protection Institute
•Defenders of Wildlife
•Doris Day Animal League
•D.E.L.T.A. Rescue
•Delta Society
•The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee
•Farm Sanctuary
•Humane Farming Association
•Marine Mammal Center
•National Audobon Society
Land Conservation and the Environment•American Farmland Trust
•American Forests
•American Rivers
•Center for Biological Diversity
•Chesapeake Bay Foundation
•Cousteau Society
•Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International
•Earth Island Institute
•Earth Justice
•Environmental Defense Fund
•Farm Aid
•Greenpeace
•Keep America Beautiful
•National Parks Foundation
•Ocean Conservancy
•Wildlife Conservation Society
General Emergency Relief
American Jewish World Services
•American Red Cross
•See Also: Red Cross USA, Facts About American Red Cross, and Red Cross History
•Fire Fighters' Charity
Refugees
American Near East Refugee Aid
•American Refugee Committee
Medical Assistance
•Americares
•Catholic Medical Missions Board
•Direct Relief International
•Doctors without Borders
•International Medical Corps
•Medical Teams International
•Operation Smile
Education, Research and Cultural Preservation Groups
Africa America Institute
•AFS USA
•American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research
•American Indian College Fund
•Asia Society
•Education Fund to Stop Gun Violence
•Hispanic Scholarship Fund
•Scholarship America
Health: Research, and Education
•American Stroke Association
•Arthritis Research Institute
•Avon Foundation
•City of Hope/Beckman Research Institute
•Epilepsy Foundation and Research
•AIDS Research Alliance
•ALS Association
•American Diabetes Association
•Autism Speaks
•Deafness Research Foundation
•Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
•Lupus Research Institute
•National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression
•First Candle
Support for Chronic Illnesses and Diseases
Alzheimer's Association
•Kidney Fund
•American Leprosy Mission
•American Liver Foundation
•American Lung Association
•American Parkinson's Disease Association
•Arthritis Foundation
•Bailey House
•Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
•Easter Seals
•Huntington's Disease Society of America
•Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
•National Association for the Terminally Ill
Cancer Support and Research
American Cancer Society
•Cancer Care
•Cancer Center for Protection and Prevention
•Cancer Federation
•Cancer Fund of America
•Cancer Recovery Foundation
•Cancer Research Institute
•St Jude's Children's Research Hospital
•American Breast Cancer Foundation
•Childhood Leukemia Foundation
•National Children's Cancer Society
•Children's Cancer Research Institute
•Jimmy Fund
•Lance Armstrong Foundation
Support for Physical and Cognitive Disabilities
•American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
•American Association of the Deaf-Blind
•American Foundation for Disabled Children
•Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation
•Guide Dogs of America
•Heritage for the Blind

List of Nonprofit Organizations That Deal with Poverty
•Catholic Charities•Catholic Relief Services
•Christian Appalachia Project
•Christian Relief Services
•Coalition for the Homeless
•Lutheran World Relief
Feeding the Hungry
•Action Against Hunger
•Africare
•Bread for the World
•Care
•City Harvest
•Feed My People
•Food Bank for New York City
Promoting Self Sufficiency
 •Accion International
•National Relief Charities
•Bowery Residents' Committee
•Brother's Brother Foundation
•Center for Community Change
•FINCA International
•Food for the Hungry
•Habitat for Humanity
•Heifer Project International
Impoverished Children
•World Villages for Children
•Children International
•Christian Children's Fund
•Compassion International
•Covenant House
Sanctity of Life
•American Life League
Senior Citizens
•AARP Foundation
•American Health Assistance Foundation
•Seniors' Coalition
Supporting Military and Veterans
•Adopt a Platoon
•Air Force Aid Society
•Armed Forces Aid Campaign
•Armed Services YMCA
•Army Emergency Relief
•Blinded Veterans Assocation
•Paralyzed Veterans of America
Supporting Fire Fighters and Police
•American Association of State Troopers
•American Federation of Police and Concerned Citizens
•Association for Firefighters and Paramedics
•Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund
Watchdog Groups
Accuracy in Media
•Citizens Against Government Waste
•Common Cause
•Judicial Watch
•Media Research
Children and Youth
Donate Toys to Needy •Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
•Boy Scouts of America
•Boys and Girls Club of America
•Campfire USA
•Cedars Homes for Children
•Child Find of America
•Child Welfare League of America
•Girl Scouts
•Junior Achievement
•National 4-H Council
•SADD
Women
•Catalyst
•Family Care International
•Global Fund for Women
•International Planned Parenthood
•League of Women Voters
•National Organization for Women





Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Thursday, Feb 14 editorial cartoons day 3

Note from Ms. Scahill, which might be of interest to some of you.


 If you have some kids who might make good ushers and want to see the show, please send them my way.  I am in 321.  Please—I must have kids who are reliable and personable.  They receive community service hours and get to see the show for free.  Dates are March 8, 9, and 10.  They can do as many dates as they want at this point!

 Analyzing editorial cartoons.

  Due by Sunday night at midnight.  No work will be accepted after that time. That gives you two class days, which in itself should be enough, or time to look at basketball games and prom shoes in class and something to occupy yourself over the weekend.

Below you will find 10 editorial cartoons. Look them over and select five of themanalyzing each in a paragraph of a minimum of 100 words.  (That would be two typed pages double spaced; so it really is not much) Please use the following criteria.

Begin with ldescribing what you actually see, including any text. Follow by discussing the topic, theme, and historical connections you note. Next discuss the person, issue or situation being illustrated and any connection to current events. To what extent it is a realistic characterization, or a total fabrication and misrepresentation of the "facts". Is the artist depicting an assumed situation, a hypothetical construction for the purposes of a general commentary on current events? What does the artist attempt to communicate with her or his art? Finally, what does the cartoon mean to you personally?

cartoon 1


cartoon 2



cartoon 3






cartoon 4


cartoon 5

         

cartoon 6


cartoon 7


cartoon 8
cartoon 9





cartoon 10


Monday, February 11, 2013

Tues, Feb 12 editorial cartoons day 2

editorial cartoons day 2: historical perspectives


Parts of the following have been excerpted from the University of Virginia education program.

Please read the following and respond on a separate document (send or hand in) the questions that follow. This is to assure that you have actually read. There will be no further assessment. Your responses are due by the close of class on Wednesday.

I) A Brief History of Cartoons

Cartoons are for the most part composed of two elements: caricature, which parodies the individual, and allusion, which creates the situation or context into which the individual is placed. Caricature as a Western discipline goes back to Leonardo da Vinci's artistic explorations of "the ideal type of deformity"-- the grotesque-- which he used to better understand the concept of ideal beauty. Intended to be lighthearted satires, their caricaturas were, in essence, "counter-art. The sketch of "A Captain of Pope Urban VIII" is representative of the new genre in that it is a quick, impressionistic drawing that exaggerates prominent physical characteristics to humorous effect. At its best, it brings out the subject's inner self in a kind of physiognomical satire-- as the example presented here seems to be a comment on some facet of the Captain's masculinity. Caricaturas became popular with collectors, but they perceived the "fanciful exercises" as curiosities rather than viable artistic productions. They were not displayed publicly, and so one of the earliest modes of established graphic satire remained in the parlor and drawing room.







   While caricature originated around the Mediterranean, cartoons of a more editorial nature developed in a chillier climate. The Protestant Reformation began in Germany, and made extensive use of visual propaganda; the success of both Martin Luther's socio-religious reforms and the discipline of political cartooning depended on a level of civilization neither too primitive nor too advanced. A merchant class had emerged to occupy positions of leadership within the growing villages and towns, which meant that a core of people existed, who would respond to Luther's invectives and be economically capable of resisting the all-powerful Catholic Church. In regards to the physical requirements of graphic art, both woodcutting and metal engraving had become established trades, with many artists and draughtsmen sympathetic to the cause. Finally, the factor which probably influenced the rise of cartoons more than any other cultural condition was a high illiteracy rate. Luther recognized that the support of an increasingly more powerful middle class was crucial to the success of his reforms, but in order to lead a truly popular movement he would need the sheer weight of the peasantry's numbers. The distribution of simple broadsheet posters or illustrated pamphlets throughout population centers proved to be an effective strategy because the images would reach a large amount of people and enjoy the greatest possible amount of comprehension.





An excellent example of Luther's use of visual protest is found in two woodcuts from the pamphlet "Passional Christi und Antichristi", originally drawn by Lucas Cranach the Elder. These two images contrast the actions of Jesus with those of the Church hierarchy; the hegemony of religion at the time ensured that when someone drew a Biblical episode like that of Jesus driving the moneychangers out of the Temple, everyone would recognize it.





Benjamin Franklin's "Join or Die", which depicts a snake whose severed parts represent the Colonies, is acknowledged as the first political cartoon in America. The image had an explicitly political purpose from the start, as Franklin used it in support of his plan for an intercolonial association to deal with the Iroquois at the Albany Congress of 1754. It came to be published in "virtually every newspaper on the continent"' reasons for its widespread currency include its demagogic reference to an Indian threat, as well as its basis in the popular supersition that a dead snake would come back to life it the pieces were placed next to each other.


Undoubtedly, Nast was the greatest popular artist of the Civil War; Lincoln was frequently quoted as saying Nast was his best recruiting sergeant, and his scenes of once-thriving southern cities like Richmond did much to convey the magnitude of destruction to Northern audiences.

 (Does this remind you of any paintings?)




After Nast became the featured cartoonist at Harper's much of his art was focused on the local New York scene. The primary shortcoming of Nast's work overall is that the quality of his satire never matched the quality of his art.

Joseph Keppler became the most commercially and critically acclaimed cartoonist of the Gilded Age. Shortly after his arrival in America in 1867 Keppler "fell in with a distinguished crowd of journalists, writers, and artists"-- including a young reporter named Joseph Pulitzer. Keppler and his associates had established an important connection with the local populace, relying heavily on international affairs and German-ethnic comedy. Unlike Nast's coarse etchings, Keppler's cartoons reflected "a grace of artistic approach" derived from his exposure to popular Austro-German styles of the day.
Keppler held that unscrupulous lawyers only encourage frivolous lawsuits. The family is destroyed: babies are abandoned in their nest; mother and father are carried off in opposite directions, delivered into the clutches of their respective lawyers.



Keppler's views of the family and women's rights  were more traditional than progressive in this regard.
The success of a political cartoon rests in its ability "to influence public opinion through its use of widely and instantly understood symbols, slogans, referents, and allusions". "People cannot parody what is not familiar" to the audience; so the best cartoons incorporated popular amusements which emerged after the Civil War, as well as universally-recognized themes from the Bible, Shakespeare, and other "classic" sources.

President Chester A. Arthur

Cartoons concentrated on political activity, its artists tried to reflect facets of that environment's general atmosphere and distort them in such a way as to illuminate particular criticisms. For many years sports had been one of the favorite cartoon metaphors for politics. The detail from "The Political Handicap" is such an example, as its parody lies in the comparison of equestrian ability and effectiveness on the campaign trail. The image juxtaposes 1880 Republican presidential nominee James A. Garfield's confidence in the saddle with the indecisive Democrats, who had been unable to elect one of their own since James Buchanan in 1856.

Another trait of the political arena that held a great deal of weight with the masses was its emphasis on masculinity. One scholar of the era concisely describes the nature of gender identity in this regard:
Late nineteenth century election campaigns were public spectacles that ended for one side in triumph, for the other in humiliation. Men described these contests through metaphors of warfare and, almost as frequently, cock fighting and boxing. Victory validated manhood.

In Conclusion
The decades of the nineteenth century after the Civil War, there emerged a political cultural rife with corruption and so provided the cartoonist with a fertile environment for spectacle and humor.

Please respond to the following questions, as pertains to the above material. These are due at the end of class on Wednesday.
1 What are the two elements that make up a cartoon?
2. What was the purpose of Da Vinci's "Ideal of Deformity"?
3. What was the purpose of the original caricaturas?
4. Why were caricatures an effective way for Martin Luther to communicate his message? What was his message? Use descriptors from the image to support your statement.
5. Take a look at Cranach's caricature. (look, carefully)  Why in particular would have the populace related to this image? (Draw on your historical knowledge to answer this.
6. What was the original purpose of Franklin's cartoon? (Draw on your knowledge of US history.)
7. How was it later adapted? (Do research, if needed.)
8. What three elements made Thomas Nast's work so effective?
9. Why did Lincoln find Nast's cartoons an effective tool for his political agenda? (Again, draw on your historical knowedge.)
10. In a minimum of 50 words, explain the message in Nast's "Emancipation"?
11. What are some of the images Keppler uses to show how lawyers are corrupt?
12. Discuss some of the problems with female emancipation, according to Keppler's view.
13. What type of people running for office when Chester A. Arthur was president? Refer specifically to what you see in the cartoon.
14. Look at the Garfield comic. What type of animal are democratics riding on and what is the message being conveyed?