Students are shown a commercial, and teacher leads them in discussion of its goals, components, target audience, effectiveness, hidden assumptions, etc.
Include in the discussion the difference between evaluating a commercial on its own terms; i.e., its effectiveness in selling its product (this can be referred to as assessing its effectiveness) and evaluating it more globally, from the point of view of the viewer. What hidden messages are included? How are different groups portrayed?, etc. (This is referred to as evaluating.)

Students then break into groups of 4 and watch another commercial. They are given the following assignment:

In a well-developed essay, summarize, evaluate and assess this commercial. You will be expected to:
     - come to consensus
     - write the essay
     - report out

After viewing the commercial, groups of 4 students discuss it and come to consensus about each part of the question. They draft and revise their essay, and then read it to the whole class.