Audience: This workshop can be modified to fit a variety of audiences, but works best with high school age teens. Magazines can be chosen that are developed for your target audience, or a variety can be chosen to show the differences in magazine readership. For example, you can choose men's magazines, teen magazines, independent magazines, etc.

Time Needed: 45 minutes

Materials:

• a variety of current magazines (choose according to audience and/or interests)
• a collection of examples of positive and negative ads
• scissors
• clear tape
• markers, pencils, and/or other drawing materials
• large sheets of paper for each participant

Session Objectives:

At the end of this workshop, participants will be able to

• look at advertising and media messages critically, which may change the effect the messages have on the reader
• display knowledge of the difference between positive and negative media messages
• demonstrate an understanding of the impact of media messages by creating a positive message with a positive image

Activity Description:

Discussion:
Brainstorm with the participants the concepts of media and advertising. A great way to get the conversation started is to begin to talk about an ad that you (facilitator) saw recently that had an effect on you.

Example: "I saw this commercial the other night in which all of these little kids were in front of the mirror in their underwear. The boys were trying to act strong and confident, and the girls were practicing their smiles. I was so upset by how young the kids were and how they were already in the mirror evaluating the way they looked. What kind of ads have you seen lately that affected you? What was being sold?"

Evidence:
Distribute a variety of teen magazines around the room. Participants can work alone, in pairs, or in small groups. Keep a couple of the magazines for yourself (facilitator). Have the participants look through the magazines and find advertisements or pictures that get their attention. Show the group your examples of advertisements, both positive and negative. Discuss with the group the prevalence of negative ads and the lack of positive ones and explore the reasoning behind this.

Creating Change:
Distribute all of the craft supplies to the participants. Explain to the group that they will be creating positive media messages from ads within the magazines. Brainstorm positive words and messages around sexuality and explore the need for diversity within magazine ads. Let the group develop their own method, whether it is changing the words on an existing ad, or building their own words and images using the magazines. As facilitator you can join the group and contribute to the discussion, or you can walk around and help participants process the activity. Allow time for the activity, and have participants share their ad, their reasoning, and what they learned from the activity. Post the ads around the classroom or in your office as reminders of the impact of positive sexuality messages.