Transcript Propaganda techniques

Propaganda techniques
Purpose of Propaganda?
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Any technique that attempts to
influence the opinions, emotions,
attitudes, or behavior of a group in
order to benefit the sponsor
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Used every day, in the military, in the
media, in advertising, in politics, and in
all sorts of human relationships
Bandwagon
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Persuading people to do something by
letting them know others are doing it
Example:
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“Either you are with us or against us”
Testimonial
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Using the words of a famous or
respectable person to persuade
Example: Proactive
Transfer
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Using names/pictures of famous
people but w/out direct quotations
Uses authority and prestige of
something we respect/revere
Example:
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symbols are constantly used
cross = Christian church
flag = nation
Repetition
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Repeating product name at least four
times within the advertisement
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What animals repeat everything they
hear in Animal Farm?
Lesser of Two Evils
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Tries to convince us of an idea by
presenting it as least offensive option
Example from Animal Farm:
“You don’t want Mr. Jones back, do
you?”
Doublespeak or Euphemisms
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Used to make something not sound as bad as it
is
examples:
 “went to heaven” = died
 “crusade” = war
 In Chapter 9 of Animal Farm, Squealer uses
the term “readjustments” when he means
“reduction” of food rations (Orwell 115).
Other techniques
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Fear
Glittering Generalities
Name-calling
Plain Folks
Straw man
Critical Thinking
To protect yourself against the techniques of
propaganda, three good questions to ask
yourself are:
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Who does this benefit?
Why did they do that?
According to whom?
(MrDonn.org)