PSA Basics
What does the acronym “PSA” stand for?
Public Service Announcement
What does the text “It took you up to 3 weeks to eat this comb” do for the reader?
It shocks the reader and makes plastic pollution personal.
What emotion is strongest in the “Comb PSA”?
Disgust and shock at the idea of eating plastic.
What global issue do many PSAs from WWF focus on?
Environmental protection and pollution awareness.
What is the main purpose of a PSA?
To raise awareness or change attitudes and behavior about a social, environmental, or health issue.
What is a call to action, and give one example from the plastic comb WWF PSA.
A message that tells the viewer what to do next — for example, “Find out how much plastic you eat at yourplasticdiet.org.”
What emotion is strongest in the “Frog PSA”?
Sadness and guilt about pollution replacing wildlife.
Why are PSAs an effective tool for global issues?
They can reach large audiences and inspire collective change.
Name one difference between a PSA and a regular advertisement.
A PSA promotes awareness or action for the public good, while ads promote products or profit.
How does typography (font style and size) influence a PSA’s message?
It sets the tone, highlights key phrases, and makes the message more attention-grabbing.
What shared emotional strategy do both PSAs use?
Fear and guilt that turn into motivation to act.
How can PSAs connect individual behavior to global problems?
By showing how personal actions contribute to larger environmental or social issues.
Name 2 sources of media that PSAs are commonly presented through?
Television, print posters, social media, radio, or billboards.
What is the subtext or hidden message of the plastic comb WWF PSA?
Humans are both the cause and the victims of plastic pollution.
What ethical value does the “Frog PSA” promote?
Environmental stewardship or ecocentrism — protecting nature from human harm.
What role do visuals play in showing global problems like climate change?
They make invisible or distant problems feel real and urgent.
PSAs don’t try to sell a product — what do they try to change instead?
They aim to change people’s behavior, attitudes, or beliefs.
What common technique is used in both PSAs’ text to make viewers feel personally responsible?
Direct address — using “you” or imperative verbs to engage and directly address the viewer directly.
Why are emotions more effective than facts alone in these PSAs?
They make the issue personal and memorable, leading to stronger behavioral change.
How can a single image in a PSA communicate a complex global issue more effectively than a long explanation?
Strong visuals quickly evoke emotion and understanding, allowing audiences to grasp the issue instantly and remember it longer than text alone.