Political Advertising...Be Prepared!

In this section of Student Voices you will find tools to help you view critically the political advertising that hits the airwaves in the months ahead. Browse through these pages for hints on how to evaluate the messages in the mayoral ads. Use your new skills at home while you're watching TV, or set up an Adwatch at school as a class project.

Learn about the effectiveness of political ads, their techniques of persuasion, and the impact of negative ads on voters. Then use your new knowledge and your media savvy to evaluate ads in this fall's mayoral race. Air your views in our discussion room.

Click on the following topics to learn more:

• The power of the TV spot
• Types of appeals to voters
• Image versus issues
• Negative advertising
• How images can manipulate you
• Coverage of the advertising campaigns
• Adwatch!