Persuasive Pitches: Advocate for Change Through Strategic Advocacy
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as citizen advocates, design and deliver a persuasive campaign using a T-shirt and pitch to influence policy change on an issue we care about?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What strategies do effective advocates use to persuade others?
- How can a citizen identify a problem and create a policy goal to address it?
- How do mission statements and policy goals shape advocacy efforts?
- What role does understanding your audience play in successful advocacy?
- How can visual aids, like T-shirt designs, enhance a persuasive message?
- How can we measure the impact of advocacy and lobbying efforts?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will be able to identify and analyze effective advocacy strategies.
- Students will be able to formulate a clear and concise mission statement and policy goals.
- Students will be able to design a persuasive message that is tailored to a specific target audience.
- Students will be able to create a visual aid (T-shirt design) that enhances their persuasive message.
- Students will be able to deliver a persuasive pitch that incorporates their visual aid and call to action.
- Students will be able to evaluate the effectiveness of advocacy efforts.
- Students will be able to collaborate effectively in a group to develop and deliver a persuasive campaign.
- Students will be able to reflect on their own learning and the impact of their advocacy efforts.
- Students will be able to understand the role of advocacy in influencing policy change.
- Students will be able to apply their understanding of advocacy to an issue they care about.
- Students will be able to understand the relationship between problems, policy goals and advocacy efforts.
- Students will be able to understand the impact of advocacy and lobbying efforts
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to students'Fix-It' Challenge
Present students with a 'broken' system (e.g., school policy, local ordinance). Challenge them to redesign it through a persuasive campaign, complete with a mission statement, target audience, and call to action.Local Crisis Simulation
A local issue is presented as a crisis scenario. Students role-play as new advocacy groups formed to address it, immediately requiring them to define their mission and strategize.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.T-Shirt Visuals & Target
Students will design the front and back of a T-shirt that visually represents their advocacy message. This includes selecting a slogan, symbols, and a call to action. They will also identify and describe their target audience, tailoring their message accordingly.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA T-shirt design (digital or sketched) and a detailed description of the target audience.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCovers learning goals related to persuasive messaging and understanding target audiences.Persuasive Pitch & Reflection
Students will create and deliver a 1-2 minute persuasive pitch, incorporating their T-shirt design as a visual aid. After the presentations, students will participate in peer voting and self-reflection on their learning and advocacy efforts.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA delivered persuasive pitch, peer feedback, and a self-reflection document.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsFocuses on persuasive delivery and reflection, covering learning goals related to persuasive pitches and evaluating advocacy effectiveness.Advocacy Topic & Mission Draft
Students will brainstorm and select an advocacy topic that resonates with them. Following the selection, they will draft a mission statement and policy goals, setting the foundation for their persuasive campaign.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA written document outlining the advocacy topic, mission statement, and specific policy goals.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses learning goals related to identifying advocacy strategies, formulating mission statements, and selecting advocacy topics.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioPersuasive Advocacy Campaign Rubric
Advocacy & Mission
Assesses the clarity, relevance, and focus of the advocacy topic, mission statement, and policy goals.Advocacy Topic & Mission Clarity
Clarity and focus of the advocacy topic.
Beginning
1 PointsThe advocacy topic is unclear, unfocused, and lacks relevance. The mission statement is missing or does not reflect the advocacy topic.
Developing
2 PointsThe advocacy topic is somewhat unclear or broad. The mission statement is vague and only loosely related to the advocacy topic.
Proficient
3 PointsThe advocacy topic is clear and relevant. The mission statement is concise and aligned with the advocacy topic.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe advocacy topic is compelling, highly relevant, and demonstrates a deep understanding of the issue. The mission statement is inspiring, sharply focused, and perfectly encapsulates the advocacy topic.
Policy Goals
The specificity and measurability of the policy goals.
Beginning
1 PointsPolicy goals are absent, or are broad, immeasurable, and lack direction.
Developing
2 PointsPolicy goals are somewhat specific and measurable but lack clear targets and timelines.
Proficient
3 PointsPolicy goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
Exemplary
4 PointsPolicy goals are exceptionally SMART, innovative, and demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of policy change.
Visual Persuasion
Assesses the persuasiveness and creativity of the T-shirt design, as well as the understanding and appeal to the target audience.T-Shirt Design
The creativity and persuasiveness of the T-shirt design.
Beginning
1 PointsThe T-shirt design is uninspired, lacks a clear message, and does not appeal to the target audience.
Developing
2 PointsThe T-shirt design is somewhat creative but lacks a strong persuasive message. The appeal to the target audience is not evident.
Proficient
3 PointsThe T-shirt design is creative and includes a clear persuasive message, slogan, and call to action that are appropriate for the target audience.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe T-shirt design is exceptionally creative, highly persuasive, and demonstrates a deep understanding of the target audience. The design elements work together seamlessly to create a powerful message.
Target Audience
The clarity and relevance of the target audience description.
Beginning
1 PointsThe target audience is not identified or is described vaguely with no connection to the advocacy topic.
Developing
2 PointsThe target audience is identified, but the description is superficial and lacks a clear connection to the advocacy topic.
Proficient
3 PointsThe target audience is well-defined, and the description explains why this audience is relevant to the advocacy topic.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe target audience is expertly defined, and the description demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the audience's values, beliefs, and motivations, and how they relate to the advocacy topic.
Audience Appeal
The effectiveness of the T-shirt design in appealing to the target audience.
Beginning
1 PointsThe T-shirt design does not appeal to the target audience and may be offensive or irrelevant.
Developing
2 PointsThe T-shirt design has limited appeal to the target audience, and the connection is not clearly explained.
Proficient
3 PointsThe T-shirt design effectively appeals to the target audience, and the explanation clearly articulates how the design elements connect with the audience's interests and values.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe T-shirt design powerfully resonates with the target audience, and the explanation demonstrates a nuanced understanding of audience psychology and persuasive techniques. The design is highly likely to influence the target audience.
Delivery & Reflection
Assesses the quality of the persuasive pitch, the depth of self-reflection, and the value of peer feedback.Persuasive Pitch
The clarity, persuasiveness, and engagement of the oral pitch.
Beginning
1 PointsThe pitch is unclear, disorganized, and fails to engage the audience. The T-shirt design is not effectively integrated.
Developing
2 PointsThe pitch is somewhat clear but lacks persuasiveness and audience engagement. The T-shirt design is presented but not effectively integrated.
Proficient
3 PointsThe pitch is clear, persuasive, and engages the audience effectively. The T-shirt design is well-integrated into the presentation.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe pitch is exceptionally clear, highly persuasive, and captivates the audience. The T-shirt design is seamlessly integrated to enhance the message and create a memorable impact.
Self-Reflection
The depth and insightfulness of the self-reflection.
Beginning
1 PointsThe self-reflection is superficial and does not address the learning goals or personal growth.
Developing
2 PointsThe self-reflection identifies some learning but lacks depth and critical analysis.
Proficient
3 PointsThe self-reflection demonstrates a thoughtful analysis of the project, learning outcomes, and personal growth. Specific feedback is incorporated.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe self-reflection is exceptionally insightful, demonstrating a deep understanding of the advocacy process, personal growth, and the impact of the project. Constructive feedback integration is evident and forward-thinking.
Peer Feedback
The quality and relevance of peer feedback.
Beginning
1 PointsPeer feedback is not provided or is irrelevant and unhelpful.
Developing
2 PointsPeer feedback is generic and offers little specific guidance for improvement.
Proficient
3 PointsPeer feedback is specific, constructive, and offers actionable suggestions for improvement.
Exemplary
4 PointsPeer feedback is exceptionally insightful, providing thoughtful analysis and actionable strategies for significant improvement. Demonstrates leadership in facilitating peer learning.