Transcript PPT

Propaganda techniques
Or
How the media gets
Americans to buy, think, and
vote
What is propaganda?
• Persuasive techniques applied by
politicians, journalists, television
personalities, and others to accomplish
their desired ends.
• Uses symbols and emotions, NOT
argument
Testimonial
• Use of a celebrity (athletes, musicians, actors)
or authority figure (doctors, auto mechanics,
plumbers) to endorse or promote a product,
cause, idea.
Testimonials
Use of causes
• Sarah MacLaughlin—ASPCA
Products
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Michael Jordan - Hanes
Dentists - toothpastes
Jessica Simpson - Weight Watchers
Matthew McConaughey – Lincoln cars
Plain Folks
• Use of a common man, ordinary person to
promote a product.
• Scenes of family, blue-collar workers, ordinary
people
Products
• Brawny - lumberjack—paper towels
• Vonage – saved families hundreds of $ each
year
Plain Folks
Bandwagon
• Use of threat of not being a part of the
crowd; must join in (buy product) to belong
Bandwagon
• Dr. Pepper
Glittering generalities
• A glittering generality is an emotionally
appealing phrase so closely associated with
highly valued concepts and beliefs that it
carries conviction without supporting
information or reason. Such highly valued
concepts attract general approval and acclaim.
• Ex: America, green, gluten free, organic,
happiness, pride
Glittering generalities
Used to sell products
• “New and Improved” Tide, Windex etc.
• Chevy— “American Built; Solid as a
Rock”
• Go Forth ad
Glittering generalities
• America’s Favorite
Fear
• Ads that present a dreaded consequence
or circumstance
• Followed by how you can avoid that
particular tragedy or downfall
Fear
• Mayhem
• Direct TV
Logical fallacies
• Applying logic to come to a conclusion that is
still false
• Example:
– Bill Clinton supports gun control.
– Communist regimes have always supported gun
control.
– Conclusion: Bill Clinton is a communist.
Logical fallacies
• Direct TV – could also connect to Fear
technique
Transfer
• Good feelings, looks, or ideas transferred to the
person for whom the product is intended.
• It gives us an image of something we want
Transfer
• Old cigarette ad
Slogan
• A catchy word, phrase or symbol to represent
a company or product
• Any come to mind?
Slogan
Propaganda Quiz
• Using the gallery walk images and your notes,
you will identify which device is being used;
if more than one, write any that apply.
• Number your paper 1-8