Jonathan Edwards Advertising Company

RATIONALE: As an interest in science and reason grew in America, Puritan theology and the emphasis on glorifying God faded. Edwards, facing the decline of the Puritan legacy, had the difficult task of trying to revive Puritan faith and influence a return to the Puritan way of life. In “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” Edwards uses a variety of speaking techniques in order to be convincing to his audience during this transitional period.

GOAL: In order to understand his techniques and demonstrate your understanding of Puritanism, you will invent and market a product to Edwards’ Puritan community. You will use the same techniques used in “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.”

TASK:

  • With a group, you will prepare and present an advertising project (a commercial) that reflects at least 4 of the major techniques Edwards uses and the effects he produces in his sermon. The product you invent should be something that may appeal to the Puritan community; it does not have to be realistic, but it should demonstrate your understanding of the Puritan way of life—(i.e. a soap that washes away sins would be unrealistic, but appropriate)
  • First, you must identify the EFFECTS Edwards intends to—and in fact did—produce with his manipulation of language. (i.e. to excite? To inspire? To energize?)
  • Next, isolate at least four of the speaking TECHNIQUES he uses in this sermon to evoke those feelings in his audience.
  • Now, you must write the script and perform a ONE MINUTE (minimum) commercial that uses those same techniques. You will turn in the script after your performance. You will also turn in a two paragraph description of (1) Edwards’ use of language techniques and (2) the techniques you attempted to use and how you incorporated them.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

  • Your project should involve ALL members of your group actively, and the presentation should reflect that involvement.
  • You may use any variety of media in the presentation. Even though the primary emphasis is on Edwards’ use of LANGUAGE, visual aids are highly useful to complement the words.
  • The final presentations should be clear, polished, and effective. Your audience (as well as you) should be able to identify the techniques used in the production.

GRADING: This project will be worth 60 points.

(20 points) Typed Script and Typed Paragraph Explanation(detailed, clear, addresses all information above)

(20 points) Performance(speaking skills, 1 minute min, involves all group members)

(10 points) Visual Presentation(well-filmed, use of props, audio is clear)