Persuasive Techniques, Propaganda & Bias

English

Where do we find them?

Persuasive techniques, propaganda and bias can all be found in written articles, speeches, television shows, movies and advertisements to name a few.

We all use persuasive techniques in our day to day life, even if we aren’t aware of their specific names.

What are persuasive techniques?

Persuasive techniques are tools used by the author of the written work, advertisement, speech, etc. in order to convince the audience of a specific point of view. The most commonly used techniques are: Citing Authority Statistics Testimonials Emotional Appeal Bandwagon Glittering Generalities

Persuasion Tools

Propaganda- Persuasion that deliberately discourages people from thinking for themselves.

What is Propaganda? The word propaganda has a

negative connotation however, the denotation of propaganda is “information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely to help or harm a person, group, movement, institution, nation, etc.”

Therefore, all the advertisements you are exposed to are propaganda as advertisements are paid for by a specific person or group to support their service or product.

Propaganda Continued…

The most commonly used propaganda/ advertising techniques are as follows: Loaded Words and Phrases Name Calling Generalities (hasty & glittering) Bandwagon Transference Testimonials Non-Sequitor Stereotyping Emotional Appeals

Propaganda Cont…

You may have noticed that some of the techniques for persuasion and propaganda are the same.

All propaganda is persuasion BUT not all persuasion is propaganda.

Transfer (Transference)

The idea of transferring positive qualities associated with specific places, events, groups of people, etc. to their own brand, product or service.

Bandwagon

This technique encourages people to join a movement, take action or purchase a product simply because everyone else is doing it.

Persuasion Tools

Name-Calling- Labeling intended to arouse powerful negative feelings. Names like “Tree Hugger” “Preppie” “ War Monger” etc.

Persuasion Tools

Card Stacking- Half-Truths leave out parts of factual info.

Stereotyping

Appealing to audiences based on a biased belief about a whole group of people.

Loaded Words and Phrases

These expressions result in unconscious reactions from the audience. These can be either positive or negative.

Emotional Appeal

An advertisement or piece of writing that uses this strategy will try to invoke a response from the viewer based on emotions rather rational or irrational.

TestimonialsTestimonials such as those used on infomercials on television use an expert or famous person to persuade people to use a product because he or she does.

Glittering Generalities Glittering generalities are emotionally

appealing words so closely associated with highly-valued concepts and beliefs that they carry conviction without supporting information or reason

Using Statistics

Using a set of numbers that describe circumstances in order to influence people’s thinking on a subject, person, or product.

Citing Authority• Appeals to authority cite prominent figures to support a

position, idea, argument, or course of action.

Fear

Appeals to fear and seeks to build support by instilling anxieties and panic in the general population.

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What is bias?

A bias is a preference that blocks impartial judgment. It is used by someone who has a strong opinion about something in an attempt to influence others to think the same way.

Prejudice

Prejudice is prejudging or forming an opinion about someone or something before knowing all the facts.

Fact vs. Opinion

Fact

A fact is something that is true about a subject and can be tested or proven.

Look for clues such as: " 56% of...., or "The patient experienced..."

Opinion

An opinion is what someone thinks about that subject.

Look for clues such as: "I believe...", "It's obvious...", or "They should..."

The house was painted on November 18, 1999.

Mark always sleeps in on Saturdays, so that is why he is late for the game.

My son had a temperature of one hundred and two degrees this morning.

The house was painted recently, so it looks as good as new.

Fact or Opinion?

Lawrence is a more sophisticated city than Manhattan.

KU is ranked number 2 behind Ohio State in both the AP and ESPN polls.

Iola’s cafeteria serves nauseous brown, greasy bean burritos.

Mr. Grover has a larger office than the other administrators at Iola High School.