Comparing and Contrasting Government PSAs
Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution requires an enumeration (or count) be taken every 10 years of all people living in the United States. The federal Census was first taken in 1790 and has been taken every 10 years since, most recently in 2020. While constitutionally necessary to ensure that the House of Representatives correctly distributes members among the states based on population, over the years the Census has also been used to gain a better understanding of our changing nation and its people.
Explore the following advertisements created to build public support for the 1950 Census. For each advertisement, answer the document analysis questions below. As you analyze, focus particular attention on the arguments made in favor of participating with the Census and note the major similarities and differences between these advertisements.
- Quickly scan the advertisement. What do you notice first?
- List the people, objects, places, and activities in the poster.
- Are there any symbols in the advertisement? What do they represent?
- Does it have a message printed on it? Are there questions or instructions?
- Does the advertisement try to persuade mainly through words, visuals, or both equally?
- Write one sentence summarizing this advertisement.
- Who do you think is the intended audience?
- Why was it created? List evidence from the poster that tells you this.
- What arguments does the advertisement make?
- How does it try to persuade people to participate in the Census?
