Materials: magazines for advertisements, real-world examples to show

Hook:  Play word association.  Select 6 words and say them to the class one at a time.  The students should write down what their first thought was when they heard each word.  Discuss why we don't always have the same reaction to words. You can also do this with cartoons or memes. 

Some website sources: 

http://www.realsimple.com/health/nutrition-diet/healthy-eating/food-labels-decoded

http://mentalfloss.com/article/52659/11-common-words-very-specific-meanings-food-labels

http://mentalfloss.com/article/69481/hypoallergenic-organic-8-product-terms-dont-mean-much

Lesson:  Using the powerpoint (See verbal communication in Documents.) discuss the meanings of words and the types of communication that we use. You can also use the fill-in-the-blank notes characteristics of effective language, doublespeak, persuasion, propaganda. (See Verbal Communication Notes in Documents)

Guided Practice: Guide students through examples you find in advertisements, restaurant menus, etc or (See Doublespeak Examples Worksheet in Documents) . Then, have students make deliberate verbal communication choices by creating a menu. (See Doublespeak Menu in Documents)

Independent Practice/Assessment: See various assignments under Documents: Slang Activity, Writing a Review, My Teacher Should Give Me an A, Propaganda and Advertisements

Closure: Journal writing: Which type of persuasive appeal is the most effective & why? Which is the least and why? 

Which type of propaganda is most effective & why? Which is the least and why?