What are slogans?

Have you ever thought about a phrase and knew immediately what product or company it was associated with? Slogans are short phrases that help customers to remember specific brands. Some famous mottos, “tag lines,” or slogans are:

• Tim Hortons: Always fresh
• Nike: Just do it
• Skittles: Taste the rainbow
• Apple: Think different
• Ontario: A place to grow

Companies often create catchy slogans so their product will be immediately recognizable to people.

Try to think of some of the slogans you know and about the people, places, or companies that are associated with them. You might surprise yourself with how many you know!

Analyzing slogans

There are several key techniques that companies use for their slogan to be effective.

• keep it short and simple
• keep it positive
• show how the company is unique
• choose the words carefully
• add humour
• highlight the benefits
• keep it honest

Brainstorm

Challenge

Challenge yourself! As you examine various slogans, add to the list of key techniques used to help make a slogan more effective.

Find two to three examples of slogans. Examples can be found in many places: magazines, billboards, bus stops, newspapers, the internet, radio, or television. Analyze the slogan using the key techniques list. Consider ways to make the slogan more effective. Challenge yourself to come up with a new and improved slogan for the product!

For the slogan that you find, record your responses to the following questions:

• What is the slogan?
• What is the company?
• What is the product?
• What is the purpose?
• What is the intended audience?
• What techniques were used?
• How could the slogan be more effective?
• What is your idea for a new and improved slogan?

Create a slogan that could be used to advertise Kikpesan's business.

Complete the Slogan Analysis Organizer in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.

You may also create an audio recording or use another method of your choice to record your responses.

Press the Activity button to access the Slogan Analysis Organizer.

Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)

Family business

Explore the following video below documenting the life of Kikpesan, a young girl from the Mi’kmaq Nation living in Esgenoôpetitj, New Brunswick. She and her family own chickens on their property and sell their eggs in the neighbourhood.

Access the video "Kikpesan" to learn about the life and business of Kikpesan and her family.

Consider the following questions:

• What is the product?
• What is the purpose of the business?
• What are the benefits of the business?
• Who does Kikpesan sell to?

Complete the Slogan for Kikpesan Organizer in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document to help get you started.

Press the Activity button to access the Slogan for Kikpesan Organizer.

Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)

Reflection

How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel...

I have an excellent understanding of the concepts   I have a very good understanding of the concepts   I have some understanding but need to review some more  my understanding of the concepts needs a lot more work

Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.