The Persuasive Project:

Shark Tank
 Analyze Shark Tank
Episodes
In each of the episodes, take notes on what
kinds of persuasive techniques are used.
What do you no9ce about the presenta9on?
What do the episodes have in common?
How are they dierent?
How do the Sharks respond? What kind of
ques9ons do they ask?
 Identify Problems or Needs
Period 4
Brainstorm a list of as many common problems or
issues that teenagers have (Be appropriate!)




 Identify Problems or Needs
Period 4
Brainstorm a list of interests that many teenagers
have (Again, please keep your lists appropriate for school!)

 Identify Problems or Needs
Period 5
Brainstorm a list of as many common problems or
issues that teenagers have (Be appropriate!)




 Identify Problems or Needs
Period 5
Brainstorm a list of interests that many teenagers
have (Again, please keep your lists appropriate for school!)

 Identify Problems or Needs
Period 6
Brainstorm a list of as many common problems or
issues that teenagers have (Be appropriate!)




 Identify Problems or Needs
Period 6
Brainstorm a list of interests that many teenagers
have (Again, please keep your lists appropriate for school!)

 Our Shark Tank
Your classmates will represent investors
who have $100,000 available to invest in a new idea that will
benet teenagers or improve their lives in some way.

In groups of about 1-4 people, you will present your idea of a

new product using a variety of persuasive techniques!

As part of this project, you will develop a proposal,

marke9ng plan, print adver9sement, presenta9on and
persuasive essay related to your product. Some aspects will
be done individually, others as a group.
 Brainstorm
In your groups, brainstorm ideas of a new product
that will solve a common problem or improve the
lives of teenagers in some way.

Write down your design ideas in a "proposal" to be
approved.
In order for your designed to be approved, you will
submit a Le6er to Investor.
Be sure to iden;fy the problem
or need that your inven;on fullls.
 Proposal Letter to Investor
Proposal
Name of the product
What does the product do
What problem does it solve or what need it fullls
A picture/ diagram of the product
How can it be customized?
What colors, sizes, etc.
What unique features it has
What makes it beSer than other products that exist / Why is
your product the best choice for inves9ng $100,000
Must include at least 4 techniques of persuasive wri9ng
When youre done, submit it to for approval!
 Marketing Plan
Once your idea is approved, begin draWing your marke9ng plan:
1. Describe your product or service in detail. Include size,
color, func9ons, op9ons, etc.
2. What unique features make your product/service especially
desirable?
3. Who is your target audience? Be specic in what the
demographics are of your consumers(girls/guys, age,
interests, etc.)
4. How much will your product cost? Why?
5. How would you promote your product?
6. What persuasive techniques make most sense to use?
7. How could you appeal to ethos, pathos, AND logos?
 Print Advertisement
Each group member will design their own print ad that promotes
the product or service using persuasive techniques.

You may either draw your ad or design it on a computer.

Include at least 2 adver;sing persuasive techniques
associa9on/ emo9onal appeal, humor, beau9ful people,
gli=ering generali9es, celebrity OR everyday people OR expert
tes9monial, scien9c evidence, bandwagon or individuality

Include at least 2 persuasive words techniques
weasel words, loaded language, unnished claim, product
comparison, unique claim, or rhetorical claim

AHer designing your ad, write a paragraph that describes how

you used those techniques in your adver;sement.
 Share Your Print
Advertisement

Take out your print ad that you designed over the weekend &
paragraph describing the persuasive techniques used.

In your groups, compare the various styles and techniques.

Choose one that you all agree on to feature in your
presenta;on! (Or, your group can combine ideas and create an
updated ad to use as part of the presenta9on.)


 Product Prototype

The product prototype requirements:

A physical representa9on of your product (it does not have to
work! J) that is neatly put together and represents dierent
features your product has. It should also have a detailed
descrip9on of each part that is neatly wriSen or typed!
OR
A detailed, colored visual that includes a diagram of parts
(from mul9ple angles: front view, back view, side view, and/
or close-ups of important features or add-ons). The diagram
should be neatly labeled. It should be at least one full page!
 Write a Script
Your presenta9on must be as persuasive as possible. Find ways to
incorporate as many techniques as you can! You must have a minimum of
6 persuasive techniques, with at least 2 from each list!
Type a SCRIPT and print enough copies for everyone.

Persuasive Techniques Notes: Persuasive Words Notes: How to be Persuasive
Associa9on/ Emo9onal Weasel Words Notes:
Appeal Loaded Language The Power of Because
Unnished Claim Address Objec9ons
Humor
Product Comparison Stories & Social Proof
Beau9ful People Unique Claim Stress & Solve
GliSering Generali9es Rhetorical Claim Repe99on
Celebrity Tes9monial Consistency
Everyday People (Tes9monial) An Invita9on & Glimpse
Expert Tes9monial into the Future
Scien9c Evidence Interes9ng or Unusual
Bandwagon Comparisons
Individuality
 Presentation Information
Your group will have 5-8 minutes to present your product to the
class, followed by ques9ons from the sharks.

Representa9ves (sharks) from each of the other groups will
evaluate your presenta9ons and rate the eec9veness of your
persuasive techniques!

You should have a sample prototype or picture of the product OR
diagram represen9ng aspects of your service.

Power Point should be neat, visually appealing (not too much text)
and include the product name/group members on the rst slide.

You will be scored on the quality of the presenta9on, the level of
enthusiasm & engagement with the audience, and on the use of
specic persuasive techniques!
 More Presentation Information
You must come prepared! Avoid was9ng any 9me in selng up.

I will be selec9ng sharks to do peer evalua9ons for each group.
When it is your turn, you will sit in the desks o to the side to watch
the presenta9on. Write down ques9ons and rate your classmates.
Even if you do not get a chance to ask all your ques9ons, I will give
you credit for doing the peer review!

The group that has the highest overall ra9ngs for quality
presenta9on & persuasiveness will receive extra credit!
 Practice the Presentations
When prac9cing your presenta9on, follow these guidelines:

EVERY group member must verbally contribute to the presenta9on!

Prac9ce using eye contact and speaking clearly with good volume

Decide ahead of 9me exactly who will say what, and when

An9cipate ques9ons the sharks will have and how/who will

answer them!

Time your en9re presenta9on: should be between 5 and 8 minutes.

 Audience Expecta;ons
Take notes on the Shark Tank Audience
Notes paper that I have given you.
EVERYTHING ELSE should be put away or set
aside!

Watch quietly and respecnully!

Wait un9l the Sharks have asked their

ques9ons, then if we have 9me, you may raise
your hand to ask addi9onal ques9ons.
 Share Positive Feedback!
What features did you like most about each of
the products?

What were the most eec9ve persuasive
techniques of each presenta9on?
 Shark Tank: Reflection & QuickWrite
You have 10 minutes to respond to the following ques9ons!
(You do not need to put your name on it or write the
ques9ons.)

What did you learn from this project?
How did this project aect the way you view adver9sements
and commercials?
What was your favorite part? What was most enjoyable about
this project?
What was confusing or dicult?
What sugges9ons do you have for how I can improve this
project for next year?

When you are done, turn your paper over.

 Letter to Investor - Brainstorm
A poten9al investor has just listened to all the presenta9ons in this
class. This investor has a hundred thousand dollars, and now has to
decide which product they want to invest in.

Why should YOUR product be chosen INSTEAD of the other ideas from
the class? *Based on the feedback given, you MAY improve parts of
your product!

1. List features of your product that people seemed to like most

2. List possible improvements or addi9onal features to your product
3. Write down the best persuasive techniques you used
4. Which product(s) seem like your biggest compe9tor, and why?
(Other products in the class and/or exis9ng products)
 Letter to Investor
Write a leSer to your investor (Start it with Dear Poten9al Investor)
that persuades the investor to choose YOUR product instead of the
other products from your class.

qRemind the investor of your best features, as well what you plan to
change to make your product beSer!
qDescribe why your product is beSer than your compe9tors.
qWrite about a page front/back (~500 words typed)
qMinimum of 4 persuasive techniques:
The Power of Because, Address Objec9ons,
Stories & Social Proof, Stress & Solve, Repe99on, Consistency, An
Invita9on & Glimpse into the Future, Interes9ng or Unusual
Comparisons