A Public Service Announcement (PSA) is a type of advertisement featured on

television, radio, print, YouTube, or other media. While the objective of a standard
advertisement is to market a product, a PSA is intended to change the public interest.
This is achieved by raising societys awareness about a concerning issue, and
ultimately, affecting public attitudes so that the result of the PSA elicits social action and
possible change in public policy.

Brainstorming Objective- Decide on a topic that is important to you. Your PSA can be
about anything that promotes awareness. Some topics include, but are not limited to:

Suicide Prevention
Child Abuse
Eating disorders
Addiction
Diabetes
Heart disease
Asthma
Abstinence
Safe sex
Sexually transmitted diseases
Discrimination based on sexual
orientation
Religious tolerance
Alcoholism
Drunk driving
Drug abuse
Anti-smoking

Adult or Child literacy

Cyber bullying
Recognizing depression
Donating blood
Protecting the environment
Fire safety
Gun Safety
Road safety
Texting, cell phones and driving
Voting
Sweat shops
Immigration laws
Earthquake preparedness
Benefits of exercise
Gender roles portrayed in the media
Animal rights
Pesticides

You will work in groups of three or four to create your PSA. Everyone must contribute to
the brainstorming, researching, writing and filming process. Participants in PSA teams
are awarded a group grade.
Questions to think about during brainstorming session.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Who is your target audience?

What is the purpose of the public service announcement?
What message or call to action are you trying to achieve/promote?
What approach do you want to take? Humor, informative, drama, satire, logic,
authority, emotion?
5. What research needs to be done to substantiate your claims? What facts compel the
audience?
6. What will the storyboard and dialogue look like?
7. What cast, costumes, and props do you need?
8. What camera angles do you want to use to create a specific mood?
9. What music or sound effects do you need to complete your PSA?
10. Where will you film the PSA? Do you need permission to use the location?
11. What sets or equipment do you need?
12. What websites and/or contact info will you provide at the end of the PSA, so that
People can be more informed about the topic or take action?

Group name:_____________________________________________________

PSA Participants:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

PSA-Topic/message
________________________________________________________________

Target Audience___________________________________________________

Scenario/story_____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
(See attached Storyboard sheet)

Costumes needed:

Props needed:

Music/ sound effects:

Location/setting:

Permission required:

Equipment needed:

Title or slogans:

Research/Facts
Statistics and facts substantiate your PSAs message. Please list your groups
research facts below: (Make sure you list the web addresses/citations that will be
included in the end of your PSA video).
Resources- You will want to search for reliable sources to substantiate your
topic. While wikipedia is a good place to get ideas, you need to get information
from organizations, foundations and websites that are reputable. Make sure to
check the credibility of your sources. If you need assistance feel free to ask your
librarian, your teacher, or your parents.

1._______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Citation:

2._______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Citation:

3._______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Citation:
4._______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Citation:

5._______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Citation:

6._______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Citation:

7._______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Citation:

8._______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Citation:

9.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Citation:

PSA rehearsal date & time:

Filming/video date and time:

Resources and websites:

http://www.youtube.com/
http://www.athinline.org/
http://www.understandmedia.com/
http://www.adcouncil.org/
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/corporate/media_kit/psas.cfm
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson1069/psa_outline.pdf
http://www.kathyschrock.net/psa/
http://www.woodland.k12.mo.us/Reynolds/Multimedia%20Assignments/PSA%20Assignment%20&%2
0Rubric.pdf
http://www.nij.gov/topics/courts/restorative-justice/marketing-media/psa.htm
http://www.counterdrug.org/psahelp.html