Aim: To discuss why propaganda is effective

Warm-up:

Why might these murals be persuasive? What kind of imagery do they employ?

This poster is from 1916.

It is aimed at recruiting young men to become fighting republicans.

These publications and murals are examples of

PROPAGANDA.

Both unionists and republicans use propaganda in the novel to influence people

Freedom fighting: exploring the rhetoric

1. How does Michael Rafters convince Fergus to join the IRA? What kinds of words and arguments have an emotive effect?

2. Why does Joe think the hunger strike will be effective?

3. What are Fergus’s arguments against the hunger strike?

4. How does Siobhan Dowd make the prison visit an emotive episode in the novel?

Example A Is this effective analysis?

Siobhan makes this moving because of the way she makes the reader see Joe as a child, not an adult. She gives all of Fergus’s memories, especially happy ones, so it makes his imprisonment seem even sadder.

Marker’s comment:

“This writer is giving an important reason, but they could be more precise.

The writer is using a contrast or a juxtaposition between an innocent and carefree time, and the very serious and bleak experience of the prison.

Targets: 1. Use the writer’s surname 2. Use a quotation to support the point

Writing your analysis

Comment on:

• The writer’s use of vocabulary and imagery• The writer’s use of sentence length • The use of contrasts

Make sure you include quotations to support your answers.

Peer-assessment

Comment on:

• The writer’s use of vocabulary and imagery• The writer’s use of sentence length • The use of contrasts

Make sure you include quotations to support your answers.

You identify specific features the writer uses.

You need to make sure your quotation supports your point

Well done for picking up on the writer’s use of similes.

Make sure you keep focused on the question