Hoaxes and Cons

From elaborate scams to cheeky practical jokes, Hoaxes and Cons dives into the murky world of trickery and deception. This issue of HighWire Magazine exposes some of history's most infamous cons, the psychology behind why people fall for them, and the very thin line between a harmless prank and a harmful hoax. Through real-life accounts, fictionalised stories, and analytical features, readers will gain insight into how deception is crafted and detected. It's a compelling look at human nature, trust, and the consequences of fooling others.

Educational Benefits:

• Encourages analytical thinking by distinguishing between facts and fiction.
• Develops media literacy through the evaluation of deceptive narratives.
• Enhances comprehension through engaging non-fiction and fiction texts.
• Builds understanding of ethical decision-making and its consequences.

Classroom Ideas:

• Host a class debate on the ethics of pranks versus cons.
• Have students research a famous historical hoax and present it.
• Create a media literacy activity to identify elements of deception in ads or news.
• Write a fictional prank story with a moral twist.

Safety & Information:

• Suitable for ages 10+
• Book size: 200mm x 265mm
• Softcover magazine format
• All content age-appropriate and reviewed for classroom safety