Conspiracy THeory Project
Conspiracy theory: The belief that certain events or situations are secretly manipulated
behind the scenes by powerful forces with negative intent.
Here are some examples of existing conspiracy theories:
1. The USA never landed on the moon. It was fake.
2. 9/11 was committed by the American government
3. The earth is flat
4. JFK (an American president) was killed by the CIA
What conspiracy theories have in common:
1. An alleged, secret plot.
2. A group of conspirators.
3. Evidence that seems to support the conspiracy theory, but does not really support it.
4. They falsely suggest that nothing happens by accident and that there are no coincidences;
nothing is as it appears and everything is connected.
5. They divide the world into good or bad.
6. They scapegoat people and groups.
Why are they so widespread?
They often appear as a logical explanation of events or situations which are difficult to
understand and bring a false sense of control and agency.
Why do people believe in them?
Conspiracy theories often start as a suspicion. They ask who is benefitting from the event or situation and then identify the who they believe is behind it. Any evidence is then forced to fit the theory. It is called "confirmation bias". Once they are believed in, conspiracy theories can grow quickly. They are hard to refute because any person who tries to argue against them is seen as being part of the conspiracy.
You will find a conspiracy theory that you want to learn more about and complete one of the projects below. You may do something other than the suggestions, but it must be approved by me first.
Your project must include
Who benefits from the strangeness?
Who might be involved? Here are some examples:
1. Movie Poster - If your conspiracy theory was made into a movie, what important details would be on the movie poster? Remember, I must be able to understand what your conspiracy theory is about and should not have to ask you too many questions. You can make-up/find quotes to support your theory.
2. Social Media Page - Create a social media page that promotes your conspiracy theory. If this is the route you choose for your project, you can either create your own layout or I will share one with you. Make sure that you make posts that explain your theory with comments from people who have visited your page.
3. Interview - You will interview "experts" and "people on the street" about your conspiracy theory. Your "experts" should explain what it is, while your "people on the street" will voice their opinion/beliefs about the theory. This interview should be written like a script with questions and answers. This should be at least 2 typed pages.
4. Story Board - You will complete this by using www.storyboardthat.com - Make sure that you include all of the important details that and that your storyboard is ten squares.
5. Propaganda Poster - You will complete this using www.canva.com and will choose an infographic poster layout. Once you have completed your poster you will share it with me. You must include all of the information that makes your conspiracy theory unique. Try to recruit people into believing this theory.
behind the scenes by powerful forces with negative intent.
Here are some examples of existing conspiracy theories:
1. The USA never landed on the moon. It was fake.
2. 9/11 was committed by the American government
3. The earth is flat
4. JFK (an American president) was killed by the CIA
What conspiracy theories have in common:
1. An alleged, secret plot.
2. A group of conspirators.
3. Evidence that seems to support the conspiracy theory, but does not really support it.
4. They falsely suggest that nothing happens by accident and that there are no coincidences;
nothing is as it appears and everything is connected.
5. They divide the world into good or bad.
6. They scapegoat people and groups.
Why are they so widespread?
They often appear as a logical explanation of events or situations which are difficult to
understand and bring a false sense of control and agency.
Why do people believe in them?
Conspiracy theories often start as a suspicion. They ask who is benefitting from the event or situation and then identify the who they believe is behind it. Any evidence is then forced to fit the theory. It is called "confirmation bias". Once they are believed in, conspiracy theories can grow quickly. They are hard to refute because any person who tries to argue against them is seen as being part of the conspiracy.
You will find a conspiracy theory that you want to learn more about and complete one of the projects below. You may do something other than the suggestions, but it must be approved by me first.
Your project must include
- Explain what your conspiracy theory is. Provide any background information.
- 5 claims that people provide as “proof” of the conspiracy
- Information that makes your conspiracy theory unique.
- Information that is used to try to get people into believing this theory.
Who benefits from the strangeness?
Who might be involved? Here are some examples:
- The government, which wants to control the population.
- Big companies, which want to maximize profit.
- Rich people, who try to keep and extend their wealth.
- Religions, which seek to spread their ideas.
- Political groups, which try to change democracy.
- Interest groups, which desire to promote minorities.
1. Movie Poster - If your conspiracy theory was made into a movie, what important details would be on the movie poster? Remember, I must be able to understand what your conspiracy theory is about and should not have to ask you too many questions. You can make-up/find quotes to support your theory.
2. Social Media Page - Create a social media page that promotes your conspiracy theory. If this is the route you choose for your project, you can either create your own layout or I will share one with you. Make sure that you make posts that explain your theory with comments from people who have visited your page.
3. Interview - You will interview "experts" and "people on the street" about your conspiracy theory. Your "experts" should explain what it is, while your "people on the street" will voice their opinion/beliefs about the theory. This interview should be written like a script with questions and answers. This should be at least 2 typed pages.
4. Story Board - You will complete this by using www.storyboardthat.com - Make sure that you include all of the important details that and that your storyboard is ten squares.
5. Propaganda Poster - You will complete this using www.canva.com and will choose an infographic poster layout. Once you have completed your poster you will share it with me. You must include all of the information that makes your conspiracy theory unique. Try to recruit people into believing this theory.