Transcript Propaganda Techniques

Propaganda Techniques
Propaganda is a means of trying to
influence people’s opinion. Propaganda is
everywhere. You find it in advertising as
people try to get you to spend your money.
You find it in politics as people try to get
you to vote for them and support their idea.
You even use propaganda techniques when
you try to convince your friends of
something.
Ten common propaganda techniques:
1. HASTY GENERALIZATION
Definition: A jump to conclusions about members
of a group based on a few examples.
Example: All football players are stupid; all
women are bad drivers.
Ten common propaganda techniques:
2. FAULTY ANALOGY
Definition: Since two things may be similar in one
or two aspects they must be similar in ALL
aspects.
Example: The Ford Escort looks like the new
BMW, therefore it must perform like a BMW.
Ten common propaganda techniques:
3. NON SEQUITUR
Definition: The conclusion of the argument does
not follow the statement before it.
Example: “Because she trained harder and longer
than the other competitors, Sasha Cohen should
have won the gold medal.”
Ten common propaganda techniques:
4. AD HOMINEM
Definition: Instead of attacking the argument you
attack the person making the argument.
Example: “Her argument doesn’t make sense
because she’s a jerk.”
Ten common propaganda techniques:
5. ATTACKING THE STRAW MAN
Definition: Distorting the argument by
exaggerating the consequences or by falsely
restating it.
Example:
Alice: “I can’t go to the party, I’ve got homework”
Martin: “You never want to do anything fun.”
Ten common propaganda techniques:
6. RATIONALIZATION
Definition: Making excuses that are not the cause
of something to happen.
Example: “Mr. Hogie gave me a bad grade
because he doesn’t like me.”
Ten common propaganda techniques:
7. APPEAL TO PREJUDICE
Definition: Trying to gather support based on your
audiences’ likes and dislikes.
Example: “If you’re a true Cubs fan you cannot
root for the White Sox in the playoffs.”
Ten common propaganda techniques:
8. CAUSAL OVERSIMPLIFICATION
Definition: Something that is complicated is
explained by choosing one or two probable causes.
Example: “We lost the game because you missed
the shot.”
Ten common propaganda techniques:
9. POST HOC ERGO PROPTER HOC
Definition: Because one thing follows another, the
first event must have caused the second event.
Example: “After I got my car washed today it
rained, therefore my car wash must have caused it
to rain.”
Ten common propaganda techniques:
10. APPEAL TO PITY
Definition: Trying to get people’s support through
sympathy
Example: “For only a penny a day you can help
save the lives of 200 starving children in the slums
of Brazil.”