Transcript Propaganda

Propaganda
Propaganda
 Messages aimed at influencing the opinions or behaviors of
large numbers of people.
 Often presents facts selectively .
 Gives loaded messages in order to produce an emotional
response.
Types of Propaganda
 Propaganda can be seen in public information campaigns by
governments, which are intended to encourage or discourage
certain forms of behavior (such as wearing seat belts, not
smoking, not littering and so forth).
 Propaganda can take the form of pamphlets, posters, radio,
TV shows, etc.
 Propaganda is a powerful weapon in war; it is used to
dehumanize and create hatred toward an “enemy”. This can be
done by using hateful or racist terms or by blaming society’s
problems on certain groups of people.
Propaganda Techniques
 Ad hominem: attacking your opponent, as opposed to attacking their
arguments.
 Ad nauseam: Using repetition of an idea or a simple slogan; if it is
repeated enough times, it may be taken as the truth.
 Ex: “Napoleon is always right.” (Animal Farm)
 Appeal to authority: Using important people to support a position,
idea, argument, or course of action.
 Ex: “Our leader, Comrade Napoleon…has stated categorically…that
Snowball was Jones’ agent from the beginning.” (Animal Farm)
 Appeal to fear: seeks to build support by creating fear and panic in the
general population.
 Ex: “Do you know what would happen if we pigs failed in our duty [to eat
the apples]? Jones would come back!” (AF)
Techniques (cont’d)
 Appeal to prejudice: Making people think that believing a certain
idea is morally “good” and not believing it is morally “bad.”
 Bandwagon: persuading people to join in and take the course of
action that "everyone else is taking.”
 Black-and-white fallacy: Presenting only two choices, with one idea
being highlighted as the better choice. "You are either with us, or
you are with the enemy")
 Ex: “Four legs good, two legs bad.” (Animal Farm)
 Beautiful people: uses famous or attractive, happy people. This makes
other people think that if they buy a product, they too will be happy
or successful. (This is more used in advertising for products, instead
of political reasons)
Techniques (cont’d)
 Big Lie: Descriptions of events that have elements of truth, but
twist the “big picture.” Eventually, this story replaces the real
story.
 Demonizing the enemy: Making individuals from another nation,
ethnic group, or those who support another viewpoint appear to
be subhuman, worthless, or immoral (ex: false accusations and
stereotyping)
 Direct Order: simplifies the decision-making process by using
images and words to tell the audience exactly what to do.
 Ex: “That is my message to you, Comrades. Rebellion!” (AF)
 “Vote for me!”
Techniques (cont’d)
 Euphoria: the use of an event that generates happiness or boosts
morale.
 Half-truth: deceptive statement which includes only some elements
of truth.
 Ex: “The whole management and organization of this farm depend on
us.” (AF)
 Reductio ad Hitlerum: used to persuade people to disapprove of an
action/idea by suggesting that the idea is only popular with hated or
feared groups of people.
 Euphemism: use of “politically correct” terms as a means of
softening an idea or claim. (e.g. instead of “He died,” use “He passed
away.”)
Technique (cont’d)
 Scapegoating: Blaming an individual or group for society’s
problems.
 Ex: “Do you know the enemy who has come at night and
overthrown our windmill? SNOWBALL!” (AF)
 Slogans: A simple, brief, and striking phrase that may include
labeling and stereotyping.
 Ex: “Just do it.” or “I’m lovin’ it.”
 Doublespeak: any language deliberately constructed to
disguise or distort its actual meaning, often by using
euphemism or unclear statements. (Saying “It’s not you, it’s
me” instead of saying “I don’t like you anymore”)
Name that Technique!
 The next few slides will have examples of propaganda.
 Identify the technique of propaganda being used.
 PADEM
 Purpose
 Audience
 Design
 Emotion/Mood
 Message
Name that Technique!
“If you don’t want
the old yoke
back, join the
ranks of the
Communists.”
Name that Technique!
Glory to Stalin – the Great Architect of
Communism!
For the
Socialist
motherland,
for the happy
life, votes
(having full
rights) the
Soviet
woman!
Name that Technique!
Name that technique!
Name that technique!
Name that technique!
Name that technique!
“Comrade Lenin
cleans the Earth of
scum”
November 1920
Name that Technique!
Name that technique!
Name that technique!
Name that technique!