What is Propaganda?

Propaganda is… Information intended to manipulate

public opinion. Bias rather than impartial.Usually spread by the media in an effort

to help or harm a person, group, institution, act, or idea.

May be covert or conspicuous.

Propaganda is… Intended to make us accept or

approve something without looking closely at the evidence.

Usually appeals to emotion rather than intellect

The desired effect is a swayed opinion.

Propaganda and the MediaPropagandists typically use media

that reach a large population of people

Where do you see propaganda?

Forums for PropagandaAdvertising

Where do you see advertisements?

Politics How so?

War Why would this be necessary?

Public Relations

What are possible benefits and dangers of propaganda?

Common TechniquesTestimonialGlittering GeneralitiesTransferPlain FolksBandwagonName CallingCard Stacking

Testimonial A respected person sanctions a

product or idea Either a celebrity or an “everyman”

Celebrity testimonials associate fame with the product

Everyman testimonials allow the audience to relate to the product

Emotional in nature; don’t appeal to logical reasoning.

Glittering GeneralitiesUse intensely appealing words to

make a product or idea seem attractive without really offering supporting information or reason.

Purposefully vagueUse words like low fat, better,

new, honor, prosperity, etc.

TransferRelates something or someone we

like with a productDesigned to make you feel the

same way about the product as you do about its associated symbol or person

Symbols are often a huge part

Plain FolksUse everyday people to sell a

productDesigned to win the confidence of

the audience Use ordinary language and

images, avoiding foreign sounding technical terms and jargon

BandwagonAttempts to persuade the target

audience to “do what everyone else is doing."

Reinforces the natural desire to be on the “winning side”

Appeals to the conformist

Name CallingThe use of names that evoke fear

or hatred in the viewer.Links a person or idea to a

negative symbol.Uses obviously negative terms

(bum, Fascist) or words with a negative connotation (radical, counter-culture)

Card StackingShows the product’s or idea’s best

features, tells half-truths, and omits or lies about its potential problems.

Carefully selects the facts that will make the product or idea seem positive

Terms to Know Audience Bias Connotation Credibility Implied Purpose Tone Persuasion Fallacy Objectivity