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Final Application Assignment:

- You will prepare a persuasive poster or handout on one of the assigned topics (below). The final project should demonstrate your ability to strategically apply the concepts and theories of this course to produce a persuasive message. Persuasive theory, research on the specific topic, and research on your audience should all be incorporated to create the persuasive artifact. Along with the poster or handout, you will prepare a short (1-2 page) essay explaining your choices in creating the message.
The persuasive artifact should:

-· Be a persuasive poster or 1-page handout
· Demonstrate understanding and application of persuasive theory
· Demonstrate understanding of the topic
· Demonstrate understanding of your audience
· Be professional in style, language, and appearance

The essay should include:
· An explanation of specific ways in which persuasion theory or concepts influenced the project
· An explanation of specific ways in which research about the topic and/or the audience
influenced the project
Conform to university-level writing standards


Choose from one of the following TWO topics for your project:
1. Studying abroad while in college 2. Eating a healthy diet


Part 1 of the Assignment: Persuasive Artifact: 150 points

The first part of the final project is the creation of a poster or 1-page flyer/handout. The poster/flyer should be turned in as a .pdf file. The persuasive artifact should be presented as a professional-level product that could be used in a healthy eating campaign or to promote studying abroad. It should be addressed to the Purdue undergraduate audience (in other words, you are trying to persuade your classmates, not your instructor.)
Each aspect of the artifact should be a thoughtful decision. Use the theories and concepts from class to determine what beliefs or attitudes to address (e.g., What does the reasoned action model say is important? The EPPM?). Consider how your audience will respond to messages (e.g., Does the message lie in their latitude of acceptance? Will they process centrally or peripherally?). How can you visually present the message to increase central processing? What language choice will increase liking or credibility?

Part 2 of the Assignment: The Essay: 50 points
Each of the decisions you make in designing the artifact (What information did you provide? What pictures did you use?) should be explained in the essay. You should make a case that your message will be effective based on persuasion theory. You should also demonstrate an understanding of the topic and your audience by conducting and citing outside research.
It is not necessary to use or refer to every theory we have covered in the course. It is quite likely that one or two theories will be sufficient for planning your artifact. It is expected that the essay will contain references to textbook or video material, to outside research about your topic, AND to outside research regarding your audience (Purdue students, in this case.)
( I'll provide theories from textbook or video material for you to include in the writing )