ss.8.CG.2.9 Media & Political Comms (Assessment #s)

Which option presents a specific point of view on an issue?

• bias 

• metaphor 

• symbolism 

• propaganda 

Answer explanation

Bias is a way to present a clear point of view by focusing on one side of an issue.

A is Incorrect- A metaphor is a way to represent an issue or idea. Bias may be represented by the metaphor, but bias is not a required characteristic of a metaphor.

B is Incorrect- Symbolism is a way to represent an issue or idea. Symbolism may include bias, but bias is not a required characteristic of symbolism.

C is Incorrect- Propaganda is a communication that seeks to influence behavior. Propaganda may include bias, although bias is not a required characteristic of propaganda.

Which option represents symbolism?

• a political poster with a photograph of the scales of justice

• a television advertisement favoring a political 

  candidate

• a political poster with a photograph of the president

• a television advertisement urging citizens to vote

Answer explanation

The scales of justice are a 

representation of the U.S. legal system and are used as a symbol of the U.S. court system.

B is Incorrect- An advertisement that favors a particular candidate is propaganda.

C is Incorrect- A political poster that uses a photograph of the president represents 

propaganda.

D is Incorrect- An advertisement that urges a citizen to vote is propaganda.

This is a statement made by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. 

…the news media seem to want to carry the negative. 

Source: Interview with Jerry Agar, KMBX News Radio 980, June 27, 2005

Which type of political communication is being referenced in this statement?

• informational 

• propaganda 

• symbolism 

• bias 

Answer explanation

Bias is a way to present a clear point of view by focusing on one side of an issue. Here, the statement focuses on the negative side.

A is Incorrect- Informational means simply telling someone a fact. This is not addressed here.

B is Incorrect- Propaganda is intended to influence a specific action, which may be positive or negative.

C is Incorrect- Symbolism is a way to represent an issue or idea. Symbolism may be positive or negative.

In which situation would symbolism play an important role?

• press conference of 

  government officials

• meeting of an interest 

  group

• public meetings of citizens 

• address by the president 

Answer explanation

An address gives the president the opportunity to share his or her perspectives, which may represent some but not all of the 

president’s constituents. Those perspectives may include symbolism, such as calling Americans to come together to “rally around the flag” or to respond to a call by “Uncle Sam.”

A is Incorrect- Press conferences represent the viewpoints of public officials who may choose to respond to questions by journalists or may choose to speak to other issues. These viewpoints may include media bias.

B is Incorrect- Interest group meetings may reflect the viewpoints of members, demonstrating a shared bias among members.

C is Incorrect- Public meetings of citizens may focus on propaganda and bias based on the concerns of those attending those meetings.

This chart shows two views about the minimum wage. 

Which group would most likely influence public perspectives on this debate?

• a group of labor union 

  members

• a group of 

  environmentalists

• a group of women voters 

• a group of teachers 

Answer explanation

Labor unions are interest groups that work to influence public perspectives and government action related to specific industry concerns such as better wages, health care, and working conditions. These labor union activities make labor unions an influential group on this issue.

B is Incorrect – Environmental conservationists would be interested in issues relating to conserving the environment, pollution, and natural resources and, therefore, would not be the most likely group to influence public perspectives on this issue.

C is Incorrect – A group of women voters may join to discuss topics that are important to them but would not be the most likely group to influence public perspectives on this debate.

D is Incorrect – Teachers would most likely focus their efforts on concerns related to teaching and education. Teachers would not be the most likely group to influence public perspectives on this issue.

This passage is from a U.S. Supreme Court decision. 

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has for many years imposed …a “fairness doctrine,” requiring that

public issues be presented by broadcasters and that each side of those issues be given fair coverage. 

Based on this passage, which statement about political communication reflects a concern of the FCC?

• Political communication can contain bias.

• Political communication can contain symbolism.

• Political communication should avoid propaganda.

• Political communication should avoid taking sides.

Answer explanation

Presenting issues to the public in a fair way gives attention to each side and limits bias.

B is Incorrect- The excerpt does not reference symbolism in political communication; the “fairness doctrine” would not affect symbolism in political communication.

C is Incorrect- Based on the passage, the FCC is concerned about fairness and is not concerned about propaganda.

D is Incorrect- The fairness doctrine does not address taking sides; rather, the fairness doctrine focuses on ensuring equal treatment.

This image is a propaganda poster created by the

U.S. government in 1944.

What was the desired impact of propaganda like this poster?

• boost the economy during wartime

• enlist more men into the armed forces

• reduce the cost of goods to support the armed force

• encourage the public to support the war effort at home

Answer explanation

By carpooling with others, citizens on the homefront were able to conserve fuel (gas), a necessary supply for the military during war.

A is Incorrect- This propaganda poster is about convincing citizens to conserve fuel (gas) to support the war effort. The actions encouraged are not about boosting the economy.

B is Incorrect- While the United States did recruit more individuals into the armed forces during wartime, the focus of this propaganda poster is about conserving fuel on the homefront to support the war efforts abroad.

C is Incorrect- Sharing cars to save gas does not impact the cost of goods.

This poster below was created in 1917. 

Which type of communication is shown in this poster?

• biased

• accurate 

• informational 

• propagandized 

Answer explanation

This poster is an example of propagandized communication because the poster is attempting to persuade the viewer to buy a liberty bond to help the United States. This poster is persuading the viewer using bandwagon propaganda.

A is Incorrect- This poster is not an example of biased communication because it doesn’t illustrate preference or opinion favoring one way over another.

B is Incorrect- This poster is not an example of accurate communication because persuasion techniques are being used.

C is Incorrect- This poster is not an example of informational communication because it uses persuasion techniques and doesn’t present facts.

This propaganda poster is from World War II. 

Based on this propaganda poster, what was the desired impact on public opinion?

• fear 

• anger 

• shame 

• jealousy 

Answer explanation

The monstrous hands of the Axis Powers symbolize the threat to the pure existence of an American mother and child living safely in a democratic nation. “Keep these hands off!” implies that acting now can save the future of America.

B is Incorrect- The shadow of a threat is a symbol meant to establish fear. “Keep these hands off!” implies that action may be taken to counter the threat, and also implies that no harm has occurred yet.

C is Incorrect- This poster has no symbolism or message that intends to make Americans feel ashamed. The focus of this poster is the threat of the Axis Powers and how the American public may be fearful but can take action to help.

D is Incorrect- This poster does not contain any symbolism or message of jealousy but instead was attempting to bring out fear amongst the American public so that they take action and contribute to the war effort.

This poster was created by the U.S. government during World War II. 

How could the symbolism used in this poster

have impacted public opinion?

• Citizens feared the destruction of civil rights.

• Citizens recognized the threat against civil liberties.

• Citizens were encouraged to protect their communities.

• Citizens were motivated to 

  defend against Nazi invasion.

Answer explanation

The direct destruction of the church steeple is a reference to the threat against the freedom of religion. This civil liberty, protected through the First Amendment, is a foundational principle of the nation. While WWII was fought overseas, the symbolism in this poster could help citizens recognize the threats to the homefront should the Nazi ideology prevail.

A is Incorrect - Civil rights protect people from 

discrimination. The symbolism of the Nazi boot (ideology) breaking the steeple of a church/religious building would invoke more of a fear of the destruction of civil liberties.

C is Incorrect- This poster does not contain any symbolism or message of jealousy but instead was attempting to bring out fear amongst the American public so that they take action and contribute to the war effort.

D is Incorrect - While the symbolism on the boot does reference the Nazis, the message of this poster is about the threat their political ideology brings to the homefront. There is no reference to an invasion or the need for citizens to physically protect the nation.