Argument, persuasion, or propaganda? Analyzing World War II posters

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Social Studies (2003)

Grades 11–12 — United States History

• Goal 10: World War II and the Beginning of the Cold War (1930s-1963) - The learner will analyze United States involvement in World War II and the war's influence on international affairs in following decades.
  • Objective 10.03: Describe and analyze the effects of the war on American economic, social, political, and cultural life.
  • Objective 10.05: Assess the role of organizations established to maintain peace and examine their continuing effectiveness.

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 11 — English III

• Goal 2: The learner will inform an audience by using a variety of media to research and explain insights into language and culture.
  • Objective 2.01: Research ideas, events, and/or movements related to United States culture by:
    - locating facts and details for purposeful elaboration.
    - organizing information to create a structure for purpose, audience, and context.
    - excluding extraneous information.
    -providing accurate documentation.
  • Objective 2.02: Examine and explain how culture influences language through projects such as:
    - showing the evolution of forms of communication in the United States (e.g., the Pony Express, telegraph, telephone, fax, e-mail).
    - tracing the development of technology in a particular area such as audio or video recordings, radio, television, and film.
    - demonstrating proficiency in accessing and sending information electronically, using conventions appropriate to the audience.
  • Objective 2.03: Respond to informational texts by:
    - using a variety of strategies for preparation, engagement, and reflection.
    - paraphrasing main ideas and supporting details present in texts.
    -explaining significant connections among the speaker's/author's purpose, tone, biases, and the message for the intended audience.
• Goal 4: The learner will critically analyze text to gain meaning, develop thematic connections, and synthesize ideas.
  • Objective 4.01: Interpret meaning for an audience by:
    - examining the functions and the effects of narrative strategies such as plot, conflict, suspense, point of view, characterization, and dialogue.
    - interpreting the effect of figures of speech (e.g., personification, oxymoron) and the effect of devices of sound (e.g., alliteration, onomatopoeia).
    - analyzing stylistic features such as word choice and links between sense and sound.
    - identifying ambiguity, contradiction, irony, parody, and satire.
    - demonstrating how literary works reflect the culture that shaped them.
  • Objective 4.03: Assess the power, validity, and truthfulness in the logic of arguments given in public and political documents by:
    - identifying the intent and message of the author or artist.
    - recognizing how the author addresses opposing viewpoints.
    - articulating a personal response to the message and method of the author or artist.
    -evaluating the historical significance of the work.