Types of PropagandaTypes of Propaganda

Learning Goal: Learning Goal: The student will understand how citizen participation influences government and political parties, and be able to simulate the election process.

Target: Target: Evaluate how bias, symbolism, and propaganda can impact public opinion

PropagandaPropagandaTechniques used by the media to Techniques used by the media to

influence opinions, emotions, attitudes influence opinions, emotions, attitudes or behavior.or behavior.

The purpose is to benefit the sponsor The purpose is to benefit the sponsor (i.e. the USA, political candidates, etc.)(i.e. the USA, political candidates, etc.)

It appeals to the emotions not the It appeals to the emotions not the intellect.intellect.

It can be negative or positive.It can be negative or positive.The purpose is to persuade.The purpose is to persuade.

Characteristics of PropagandaCharacteristics of Propaganda Bias- Bias- prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person,

or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair.

Symbolism- Symbolism- the use of symbols to represent ideas

Watchdog Role- Watchdog Role- A political watchdog makes sure that political parties are held accountable for what they say and do. Watchdogs fact check claims made by political parties and expose any claims that are untrue (LIES! )

Recognizing Propaganda Recognizing Propaganda TechniquesTechniques

BandwagonBandwagon TestimonialTestimonial Plain FolksPlain Folks Card StackingCard Stacking Name-CallingName-Calling TransferTransfer Glittering GeneralityGlittering Generality

BandwagonBandwagon persuasive technique that invites you to join the persuasive technique that invites you to join the

crowd.crowd. Everybody’s doing it!Everybody’s doing it! Often uses weasel wordsOften uses weasel words

Everyone in Auburn is supporting Bob Riley. Shouldn’t you be part of the winning team?

TestimonialTestimonial Statement endorsing an idea/candidate by a prominent Statement endorsing an idea/candidate by a prominent

person.person. Product does not have to be related to “star’s” field.Product does not have to be related to “star’s” field. Commonly uses musical artists, sports giants, Commonly uses musical artists, sports giants,

actors/actressesactors/actresses

Plain FolksPlain Folks Identifies product/idea with a locality or countryIdentifies product/idea with a locality or country Practical product for ordinary people.Practical product for ordinary people.

Card StackingCard Stacking Strategy of showing the political Strategy of showing the political

candidate’s best features. candidate’s best features. Telling half-truths and emitting or lying Telling half-truths and emitting or lying

about it's potential problems.about it's potential problems.

Name - CallingName - Calling A way of smearing an A way of smearing an

opponentopponent Intent is to damage Intent is to damage

opponentopponent It also arouses suspicion It also arouses suspicion

of opponentof opponent Intention is to create a Intention is to create a

seed of doubtseed of doubt Used by politicians and Used by politicians and

product companiesproduct companies

TransferTransfer Uses your feelings about one thing to get Uses your feelings about one thing to get

you to feel the same way about you to feel the same way about something else. something else.

Can use a positive image to persuade you Can use a positive image to persuade you to like something or a negative image to to like something or a negative image to persuade you to dislike something. persuade you to dislike something.

However they are presented, the images However they are presented, the images act as wordless messages that most act as wordless messages that most people can identify with. people can identify with.

Glittering GeneralitiesGlittering Generalities Always shows the subject of the Always shows the subject of the

message in a positive light, but message in a positive light, but provides little or no information.provides little or no information.

Glittering generalities use simple, Glittering generalities use simple, clever slogans that appeal to peoples’ clever slogans that appeal to peoples’ emotions. emotions.

These general statements are easy to These general statements are easy to remember but hard to verify because remember but hard to verify because they offer no facts. they offer no facts.