Persuasion: Sell Me an Idea
Mr. Burke/Senior English

Overview As I said yesterday, you must create something--a product, a service, a business--and, following the requirements stated below, present it to us and, using persuasive techniques we will study, try to sell it to us. A quick note about my own credibility in this area: I do some work outside school for a few people who pay me good money to write the text for their pamphlets, programs, and grants all of which are designed with one purpose: to sell their service or idea to people or corporations.

Requirements Whether in a group or working solo, you must turn in the following:

• a logo
  
• a name (for your product, service, company, restaurant, etc.)
  
• a slogan
  
• brief description in very precise terms of what this product is and what it does/provides
  
• description of your product’s ideal audience: analysis of why this audience: assumptions about preferences, attitude, style, etc.
  
• print advertisement using computer to create
  
• pamphlet: ClarisWorks comes with a template: should include at least the following info: what, how, why, who, how much.
  
• written analysis of your pamphlet and ad: it is/is not effective because...5 points of analysis and explanation
  
• packaging: how to “package” this idea/service/product?
  
• sales presentation: group/individual makes formal presentation to the class as one would at a business to “sell” an idea
  
  • Teach
    
    • anticipation of audience’s questions/concerns
      
    • effective presentations
      
    • public speaking
      
      
      
    Grading These projects will be graded on the following components:
    
    • completion of each component
      
    • quality of work as an individual or group
      
    • quality of work overall
      
    • final presentation as a culminating activity
      
      
    Timeline You have the rest of this week and next to do this project. We will begin the presentations on Monday February 24th and take most of if not all of that week for these.
    Computer
    Work I realize not all computers at home. My plan is to teach you to use computers for these specific purposes and to teach you how to use the available technology here--internet, scanner, printer, ClarisWorks/graphic programs--for this project. You may, of course, do this work on your computers at home if you have those tools available to you.