Ressler's Digital Resources

Here are some sample PSAs from last year's 8th grade students. Fun fact: each of these PSAs was created by an English Language Learner!

Diana's sample PSA

Analysis of the Sample PSA: "The Down Side of Technology" by Diana Melgar

Message and Purpose: This PSA highlights the negative effects of excessive smartphone use, particularly focusing on its impact on sleep, schoolwork, and social interactions. It also offers practical tips for reducing screen time and encouraging healthier habits.

Visual and Textual Elements:

Colorful Design: The PSA uses bright, bold colors to grab attention, with each section clearly separated by color blocks. This helps to organize the information and make it easy to follow.
Clear Sections: The PSA is divided into specific sections, each addressing a different issue related to smartphone use. This organization makes the message clear and easy to understand.
Practical Advice: The PSA not only identifies problems but also suggests solutions, such as setting limits on phone use and finding alternative activities.

Strengths:

Engaging Design: The use of vibrant colors and simple illustrations makes the PSA visually appealing and engaging for the audience.
Actionable Tips: The PSA offers clear, actionable steps that viewers can take to improve their habits, making it not just informative but also practical.

Areas for Improvement:

More Specific Examples: The PSA could benefit from including specific examples or statistics to reinforce the points made, such as how much screen time affects sleep patterns.

Overall Effectiveness: This PSA effectively communicates the negative aspects of excessive smartphone use and provides practical advice for managing screen time. With the addition of more specific examples or data, the message could be even more convincing and relatable for the audience.

Ibrahim's sample PSA

Analysis of the Sample PSA: "How Social Media and Technology Can Affect Your Mental Health"

Message and Purpose: This PSA focuses on the negative impacts of social media and technology on mental health, highlighting five key areas: sleep, cyberbullying, schoolwork, addiction, and social interactions. The goal is to raise awareness about how these factors can affect teenagers' well-being.

Visual and Textual Elements:

Simple Layout: The PSA uses a clear and straightforward design, with text organized in bullet points. This makes it easy to read and understand.
Key Points: Each point is short and to the point, covering important issues that teenagers might face due to excessive use of social media and technology.

Strengths:

Focused Message: The PSA clearly lists the main negative effects of social media and technology on mental health, making the information easy to digest.
Relatable Topics: The issues mentioned, such as sleep disruption and cyberbullying, are relatable and relevant to the target audience.

Areas for Improvement:

Visual Appeal: Adding images or icons related to each point could make the PSA more engaging and visually appealing.
More Details: Providing brief explanations or examples for each point could help the audience understand how these issues might affect them personally.

Overall Effectiveness: This PSA effectively highlights the potential risks of social media and technology use on mental health. With a few added visuals and more detailed explanations, the message would be even more impactful.

Gerson's sample PSA

Analysis of the Sample PSA: "Social Media Is Not the Bad"

Message and Purpose: This PSA argues that social media isn't always bad for teenagers. It highlights that many teens use social media to learn new things and suggests that parents should recognize the positive side of technology.

Visual and Textual Elements:

Repetition: The PSA repeats the message that "Social Media Cannot always be bad For teenagers," making sure the idea sticks.
Simple Design: The text is clear and easy to read, helping the audience focus on the message.
Language: The PSA uses straightforward language that speaks directly to both teens and parents.

Strengths:

Clear Message: The PSA makes its point clear—that social media has good aspects, too.
Target Audience: By talking to parents, the PSA reaches people who can influence how teens use social media.

Areas for Improvement:

More Visuals: Adding images or graphics could make the PSA more interesting and help show the positive side of social media.
Examples or Facts: Including specific examples or facts about how teens use social media for learning could make the argument stronger.

Overall Effectiveness: This PSA does a good job of presenting a different view of social media. With more visuals and some added examples, the message would be even more convincing.

Here is a PSA that my sister made years ago, promoting a fund raiser I was doing to get classroom supplies:

Stephanie's PSA.mp4

Analysis of the Sample PSA: "Clear the List for My Sister’s Classroom"

Message and Purpose: This PSA was created to encourage viewers to support an Amazon fundraiser by purchasing items for an 8th grade classroom. The goal was to raise awareness about the financial needs of teachers (such as Mrs. Ressler) and to motivate viewers to contribute to the classroom by clearing the teacher's Amazon wish list. The video was shared on TikTok and Instagram to reach a wide audience.

Visual and Textual Elements:

Personal Connection: The video featured a personal photo of the creator and her sister (the teacher), establishing a personal connection and adding credibility to the request.
List Visualization: A video clip was included showing a scroll through the Amazon request list, which provided transparency and allowed viewers to see the specific items being requested.
Direct Communication: The creator spoke directly to the camera for most of the video, explaining the purpose of the fundraiser and emphasizing the importance of supporting public school teachers.
Tone and Style: The tone of the video was lighthearted yet motivational, aiming to engage the audience and encourage them to take action by purchasing items for the classroom. The creator’s language was positive, focusing on how donations would help foster a supportive learning environment for students.

Strengths:

Clear Message: The video effectively communicated its purpose—to gather support for the classroom by encouraging viewers to purchase items from the Amazon list.
Personal Appeal: The inclusion of a personal photo and the direct communication style helped create a connection with the audience, making the appeal more relatable and trustworthy.
Transparency: By showing the actual Amazon list, the video provided transparency, allowing viewers to see exactly what their donations would go towards.

Areas for Improvement:

Additional Visuals: Incorporating more visuals, such as images of the classroom or examples of how the items would be used, could make the video more engaging and provide further context for potential donors.
Text Overlays: Adding text overlays with key points, such as “Support Public Schools” or “Help Clear the List,” could reinforce the message and make it more memorable for viewers.

Overall Effectiveness: This PSA effectively raised awareness about the needs of the classroom and motivated viewers to consider donating. The personal approach and direct communication style were strong elements that made the video relatable and persuasive. With some added visuals, the video could have been even more compelling, further encouraging viewers to support the cause.

Here are some visual PSAs from the internet that show various components of how PSAs target intended audiences:

COVID-19 - Detén la Propagación (Stop the Spread)

Message and Purpose:

This PSA aims to raise awareness about the dangers of vaping, particularly targeting parents who may be unaware of their children's vaping habits.

Visual and Textual Elements:

Striking Visual: The image of a parent with their head obscured by smoke (representing the “cloud”) is powerful and symbolic, conveying the message that parents may be blind to their children’s vaping habits.
Clever Slogan: The slogan “Get Your Head Out of the Cloud” is a clever play on words, making the message memorable.

Strengths:

Emotional Appeal: The PSA uses emotional imagery to create a strong connection with the audience, encouraging them to take action.
Memorable Design: The visual and textual elements are designed to be memorable, ensuring the message sticks with viewers.

Areas for Improvement:

More Data: Including statistics or facts could strengthen the PSA’s argument and provide viewers with concrete reasons to be concerned.

COVID-19 - Detén la Propagación (Stop the Spread)

Message and Purpose:

This PSA is part of an anti-smoking campaign, encouraging viewers to quit smoking by highlighting the serious health risks associated with the habit.

Visual and Textual Elements:

Impactful Imagery: The image of a man showing his surgery scar is powerful, providing a stark visual reminder of the consequences of smoking.
Direct Language: The language is straightforward and urgent, reinforcing the need to quit smoking to prevent further harm.

Strengths:

Strong Visual Impact: The scar image is emotionally charged and likely to leave a lasting impression on viewers.
Clear Call to Action: The PSA includes a clear call to action, encouraging viewers to quit smoking and providing a resource for help.

Areas for Improvement:

Additional Support Information: Including information on how to quit smoking or where to seek help could make the PSA more supportive and actionable.

COVID-19 - Stop the Spread of Germs

Message and Purpose:

This PSA aims to educate the public on preventing the spread of COVID-19 by encouraging specific hygiene and safety practices.

Visual and Textual Elements:

Bold, Clear Text: The use of bold and contrasting colors makes the text stand out, ensuring the message is easy to read and attention-grabbing.
Infographics: Simple icons depict actions like handwashing, avoiding contact, and cleaning surfaces, which visually reinforce the key messages.

Strengths:

Clear Instructions: The PSA provides straightforward steps that are easy to understand and follow.
Visual Appeal: The colorful design is visually engaging and makes the information more accessible.

Areas for Improvement:

Additional Context: Including a brief explanation of why these measures are important could enhance understanding and compliance.

COVID-19 - Detén la Propagación (Stop the Spread)

Message and Purpose:

This PSA is designed to spread awareness about preventing the spread of COVID-19, specifically targeting Spanish-speaking audiences.

Visual and Textual Elements:

Clear, Simple Icons: The use of bright, easily recognizable icons helps convey the message quickly and effectively.
Direct Language: The language is straightforward and direct, making the message clear and easy to follow.

Strengths:

Targeted Audience: By using Spanish, this PSA effectively reaches and engages with Spanish-speaking communities.
Simple Design: The simple design allows the message to be easily understood, even at a glance.

Areas for Improvement:

Engagement: The PSA could include a call to action to further engage viewers and encourage specific behaviors.

Flu Awareness - Sick with Flu? Know What to Do!

Message and Purpose:

This PSA educates the public about the flu, its symptoms, and steps to take if they are sick, emphasizing the importance of staying home and seeking medical care if necessary.

Visual and Textual Elements:

Comic-Style Design: The use of comic-style visuals makes the information engaging and accessible, potentially appealing to a wider audience.
Sequential Information: The layout provides information in a logical sequence, guiding the reader through the symptoms and actions to take.

Strengths:

Engaging Visuals: The comic-style design is eye-catching and could appeal to both adults and younger audiences.
Comprehensive Information: The PSA covers various aspects of flu prevention and care, making it informative and useful.

Areas for Improvement:

Simplification: The PSA could benefit from a more simplified design to ensure that the message is not lost in the visuals.

Page updated

Report abuse