Transcript Propaganda Techniques

Propaganda Techniques
Appeals to Reason and Emotion
Propaganda Techniques
 These are techniques that speakers, writers,
politicians, and advertisers use to persuade
people to think, act, or believe the way they,
the senders, want.
 These techniques can be used in either good
or bad ways.
 People should be aware of these techniques
so that they can make informed decisions
about issues in their lives.
Assertion
 An assertion is an enthusiastic or energetic
statement that is presented as a fact,
although it may or may not be true.

Example: “If you use our product, you will lose
weight!
Bandwagon
 Bandwagon is an appeal to the subject to
follow the crowd or join the winning side
because it is the most popular.
 It may also imply that since everyone else is
doing a particular thing, the subject will be
left out.

Example: “Everyone’s running to join the
Capstone team for the best satellite TV
available today!”
Glittering Generalities
 Glittering Generalities are words or
statements that have very powerful positive
connotations. They demand approval without
thought or analysis.
Lesser of Two Evils/Either-Or
Fallacy
 The Lesser of Two Evils (or Either-Or
Fallacy) technique presents only two
choices or solutions to a problem, and then
presents the one that is favored as the
least offensive.
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Example: The choice is clear: either we ban
all handguns, or we live in a world where
children are shooting children in their
schools.
Ad Hominem/Name Calling
 Ad Hominem or Name Calling is when
speakers or writers attack an enemy using
negative or derogatory language or words.

Example: “My opponent is a warmonger. He
does not want a peaceful settlement!”
Pinpointing the Enemy
 Pinpointing the enemy is when a speaker or
writer attempts to simplify a complex
situation by identifying one specific group
or person as the enemy.

Example: “We cannot afford to let those who
support the ACLU to compromise the
American justice system!”
Plain Folks
 The Plain Folks propaganda technique
attempts to convince people that the speaker
or writer’s views are those of the common
people, or that the speaker or writer is
working for the benefit of the common person
with his or her ideas.

Example: “If you vote for me, I will not allow
those Washington bureaucrats to undermine
our traditional, small-town values!”
Simplification or Stereotyping
 Simplification or Stereotyping is similar to
Pinpointing the Enemy and Lesser of Two Evils. This
technique either makes an enemy of a particular
group or presents two very simple solutions to a
problem—one good and one bad.


Example: The illegal immigrants of this nation are
polluting our culture and putting our nation in debt!
Either we allow or illegal immigrants to stay, or we shut
down our factories for lack of affordable workers!
Testimonials
 A testimonial is a quotation or endorsement,
in or out of context, which may attempt to
connect a famous or admirable person with a
product or idea.

Example: As a former pro-football player, I
trust Advil to relieve my occasional aches and
pains.
Transfer
 Very similar to testimonials sometimes,
transfer attempts to make the audience or
receivers view a certain item or idea in the
same way they view another item or person.
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Example: Michael Jordan and Pepsi-Cola
Example: NASCAR and Goody’s Powders
Example: Charleton Heston and the NRA