The Federalist Papers - An Early Version of the Commercial
This fun exercise challenges students to relate to the Federalist Papers by thinking of three different commercials that they believe are effective in marketing a product. This activity combines art, description, and elaboration.

Use this Activity:

Discuss - Explain to students that:

 

The Federalist Papers can be seen as an early version of a commercial because they were designed to persuade the public—just like modern ads do. Here's how:

  1. Clear Purpose – Just like a commercial tries to sell a product, the Federalist Papers tried to "sell" the U.S. Constitution to the American people and convince states to ratify it.

  2. Target Audience – The essays were published in newspapers where everyday citizens and political leaders would read them, similar to how commercials are aired where large audiences can see them.

  3. Appeals to Emotion and Logic – Like modern advertising, the papers used strong arguments (logic) and sometimes emotional appeals to explain why the Constitution would bring safety, order, and fairness.

  4. Branding the Opposition – The authors criticized the Articles of Confederation (the old system of government), pointing out its flaws—similar to how a commercial might highlight what’s wrong with a competitor's product.
Brainstorm - Brainstorm with students examples of commercials they think are effective and explore the reasons. Search for videos to show students.
Morning Work - The activity takes most students about 45 minutes to complete, making it an ideal solution for morning work over a period of a few days.
Homework - This activity is a great way to assign homework in social studies or language arts.
Share- Allow students to share their work.