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The Franchonia Election at Hopkinton High

By Michelle Murdock, Freelance Writer

As part of Mike Franchock’s AP Language and Composition class at Hopkinton High School, students study politics, power and rhetoric; the art of using language effectively and persuasively. They do so in a very creative way, participating in a mock election campaign in a country called Franchonia, created by Franchock.

Franchonia was founded 350 years ago when explorers from the world’s largest continent ventured across the sea and discovered new land. This new continent was settled by different countries, creating four new colonies. Fifty years later, in what seemed like a cascade effect, the four colonies rebelled and declared independence, thus creating the countries of “Franchonia”, “Riven”, “Venton” and “Thordonia”. After a war between the four countries, and horrible losses on all sides, the countries made peace. Since then Franchonia has been distrustful of its neighbors, even though there has been peace now for nearly fifty years. In fact, the other three countries have prospered through trade while the Franchonians have relied more on their abundant resources to maintain themselves.

Initially created seven years ago, when Franchock first taught AP Language and Composition, Franchonia started off small.

"There were three candidates and Franchonia was a country," said Franchock. "Poll numbers for the whole country would go up and down and the kids would make ads or participate in a debate."

For the Franchonia 2010 election, there were three candidates from three distinct parties, and eleven countries, each different demographically. Franchock explained that there was no regular grade for this assignment, but the students were assessed.

"Poll numbers for each state would go up and down depending on how effective the students were in reaching the voters of each state," said Franchock. "The kids really needed to fit their message to the state."

Two years ago, according to Franchock, the Franchonia election really took on an added resonance because of the presidential election. Students were able to make comparisons between their ads for Franchonia and what was being done in the real world.

"I actually saw ads that they made that were better than what was out there," said Franchock.

Franchock teaches his students that politicians always have to be on their game.

"It's all about language," said Franchock. "How do you use langugage to get your point across?"

To learn more, see sample ads and meet some of the candidates in the Franchonia Election 2010, watch the HCAM News video below.

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