Minds On
Overt and implied messages
Many different items come in a package, such as a video game, cereal, a movie, or a book. The words and images, as well as the overt and implied messages on packaging, increase the likelihood that the audience will purchase that product.
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
Do you know what overt and implied mean? If possible, work with a partner to discuss the possible meaning of overt and implied. Then, check the definitions below.
Please press ‘Overt and Implied Definitions’ to access the difference between overt and implied messages
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
The whole package
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
If possible, work with a partner to come up with a list of different products that come in packaging. Search for examples of these products and their packaging. Investigate the different elements of the package. Are there words and images? What types of information can be found on the packaging? Are there any additional features used or added to different types of packaging?
Complete the Product Packaging Table in your notebook or use the following fillable activity.
| Product | Packaging Elements |
|---|---|
| Additional packaging features: | |
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Product Packaging Table.
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Action
What’s the message?
Let's explore the following video game packaging.
The video game that we will investigate is an adventure game. The game is called “Adventure Quest.” The cover art for the game shows a young adult wearing a costume that is a cross between a super-hero costume and an athletic outfit. The person has a cape, a sweatband, t-shirt, shorts, and running shoes. The person is standing in an arena. In the background is a stadium of cheering fans. The title of the game appears at the top of the cover. At the bottom of the cover are the words:
Take your excitement to the next level with the BEST adventure game EVER!
Who is the target audience for this video game? What evidence from the description did you use to answer this question?
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
If possible, work with a partner to brainstorm all of the overt (intended) messages you can find in the description of this video game. Record your ideas using a method of your choice.
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Overt and implied messages
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
One of the overt messages you might have identified is that the character (or player) of this game will go on an adventure. Now, consider the character. What hidden message can we find in the way the character is presented? The character is pictured wearing a cape and athletic clothing. What does that tell you about the video game?
If possible, work with your partner to brainstorm all of the implied messages you can find in the description. You can record your ideas using a method of your choice.
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Who’s it for?
When we identify the target audience for a product, we are identifying who it has been designed for. Some video games are designed for small children. Others are for pre-teens and teenagers, and some are designed for adult audiences.
Consider the packaging for two different brands of cereal.
One of the boxes has bright, bold text. It features a happy and friendly cartoon character enjoying a bowl of cereal in fun shapes. At the bottom of the box is a banner advertising a toy that can be found inside the box.
The second box has neutral elements and fonts and features a plain bowl of grain cereal. At the bottom of the box is some information on what makes this cereal healthy.
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
If possible, examine the two images with a partner.
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
If possible, work with a partner to answer the following questions:
Select your answer and then click the 'check answer' button.
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
Other questions
- Do you think the target audience would enjoy this cereal?
- How do you think another audience might respond to the cereal packaging? For example, how would an older adult respond? A teenager?
- If you believe they would respond differently than the target audience, why do you think that?
- Can you identify any implied or overt messages in the two cereal boxes? What are they?
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Consolidation
Exploring packaging
Test Your Skills!
Test your skills
In this activity, you will explore the packaging for a product of your choice. You might choose to explore cereal boxes, video games, books, or any other product/packaging of your choice.
Select two examples of a product. If you choose books, select two different books and then explore their packaging. Consider the following questions:
- What words and features are used? Are there characters or symbols? What are they? Are there any features on the packaging? What are they?
- What obvious or overt message(s) are found through the words and/or images on the packaging?
- What kind of mood or emotions are conveyed?
- Who is the target audience? What evidence helped you make that conclusion?
Complete Exploring Packaging in your notebook or use the following fillable and printable document. You may also choose to record your answers in an audio clip or using another method of your choice.
| Example 1 | Example 2 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Product |
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Package Description |
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Overt (Obvious) Message |
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Implied or Hidden Messages |
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Target Audience |
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Exploring Packaging.
Reflection
As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel...
Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.