Midterm Public Service Announcement (PSA) Project Notes

Project Overview

  • Goal: Practice learning on multimodal communication and forms of communication in the digital age through creating Public Service Announcements (PSAs).

  • Values: Emphasizes Communitarianism as an Augustinian Recollect Value, aiming to assist school children in need through the PSA info drive.

Guidelines for PSA Creation

  • Format: Create a Public Service Announcement in the form of a poster tarpaulin.

    • Size: 2 feet x 3 feet.

  • Group Project:

    • Groups will be formed based on population and degree programs.

    • Must be submitted physically and presented in class prior to delivery to beneficiary schools (selected public elementary/high schools).

  • Attendance: Each group must assign a secretary to check attendance during meetings, including asynchronous sessions.

  • Design Tools: Use design software/apps like Canva, Adobe Photoshop, or Windows Publisher to create the PSA.

  • Topic Selection:

    • Select a relevant topic related to your degree program.

    • If group members are from different degree programs, all members must agree on a topic.

Attendance Guidelines

  • Documentation: An MS Word document will be provided for attendance checking, formatted as a table.

  • Responsibilities: Each secretary must track the attendance of all members during group meetings.

Submission Details

  • Deadline:

    • March 25, 2024, for MWF classes.

    • March 26, 2024, for TTH classes.

  • Criteria for Assessment: Individual and group ratings based on given rubrics, evaluating criteria like content, organization, relevance, grammar, and adherence to instructions.

Feedback and Evaluation

  • Up to 100 points can be earned if the project criteria are met excellently. Feedback will be provided post-assessment.

Understanding Public Service Announcements (PSAs)

  • Definition: A PSA is a message disseminated to inform the public about important issues at no charge.

  • Purpose: The overarching question when creating a PSA is, "What do you want the world to know?"

  • Usage: PSAs promote activities, services, or programs from governmental or non-profit organizations.

    • Common formats include commercials, radio/TV spots, and printed ads.

  • Objectives:

    • Raise awareness.

    • Change public attitudes, opinions, or behaviors related to social issues.

    • Persuade audiences to take favorable actions.

  • Impact: PSAs can be instructional, inspirational, or shocking, aimed at eliciting emotional responses and motivating action.

Historical Context of PSAs

  • Originated during the U.S. entry into World War II.

    • Developed by radio broadcasters and advertising agencies to encourage public support for the war effort.

  • Post-war use expanded to educate the public on various important issues.

  • Alternative names in different regions:

    • UK: Public Information Films (PIFs)

    • Hong Kong: Announcements in the Public Interest (API).

Steps for Creating an Effective PSA

  1. Choose an Issue: Identify a beneficial public message. Focus on a single idea to avoid confusion.

  2. Research: Equip yourself with the most current and accurate information, including statistics.

  3. Audience Consideration: Understand the needs and preferences of your target audience to galvanize action.

  4. Hook Your Audience: Create engaging content utilizing humor, shock, or emotional appeal to capture attention.

  5. Track and Measure Impact: Evaluate audience reactions and the effectiveness of your PSA in prompting action.

Additional Tips

  • Script and Storyboard: Simplify your message in a concise script; plan visuals effectively.

  • Editing and Production: If applicable, edit the footage and ensure the PSA is polished and professionally presented.