step_2.htm

What is a PSA?

Look at the following examples and websites to get a good idea of what a PSA is.

PSA stands for Public Service Announcement. If you think about it you have seen PSAs your entire life. Some familiar campaigns are:

Smokey the Bear "Only you can prevent Forest Fires"
McGruff "Take a Bite out of Crime"
A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste

For more examples of PSAs look here.

Task:
Play a PSA trivia game

Look at the following websites:

Preparing Public Service Announcements
Ad Council Definition of PSA

Read page 11 of the Report to Congress (PDF) on the role of PSAs

Over the next few days, pay special attention to PSAs while you are watching TV. Do they make you think in new ways? Do they influence your behavior?

Task :
Answer questions 1-4 on the PSA planning sheet (PDF)

Writing the PSA

A PSA can inform or persuade or both. To be effective certain writing guidelines must be met. Look at the following 3 websites:

Six Steps To Effective PSAs
Speaking for Radio and Television
How do you write a PSA?

After reading the articles about writing PSAs go back and watch three PSAs. See if you can identify any of the guidelines mentioned.

Task:
Complete the PSA planning sheet (PDF)
This PSA is not for a specific organization. We will skip that step.

Stop!
Check with the teacher before continuing to Step 3