Propaganda TechniquesEnglish 9 Honors

What is propaganda?•Propaganda is an expression of opinion or action by

individuals or groups, deliberately designed to influence opinions or actions of other individuals or groups with reference to predetermined ends

Wait, that is kind of confusing . . . there must be an easier way to get it . . .

Great, but what does that mean?•Basically, if you and I have an opinion and express it

with intent to influence some individual or group, then we are propagandists.

• It’s convincing large numbers of people to believe or act a certain way.

History of Propaganda•Propaganda has been occurring for thousands of

years . . .▫Religion: The word first appeared in 1622 while

influencing the masses on religious beliefs.▫Propaganda and war: Governments use propaganda to

persuade their people of the justness of their cause as well as hide the failures of the front line.

▫Nazi propaganda: In 1933, Hitler realized the potential of propaganda and appointed Joseph Goebbels as Minister for Propaganda.

Propaganda Today•Today, propaganda continues to be used in large

quantities in the modern world •We see it used by:▫Governments all over the world▫Politicians, home and abroad▫Advertisers, from little items like gum, to huge items

like cars

Propaganda Devices1. Name-calling2. Glittering Generalities3. Transfer 4. Testimonial5. Plain Folks6. Card Stacking7. Band Wagon

Name-Calling Device•Giving “bad names” to individuals, groups, nations,

races, policies, practices, beliefs and ideals•Name-calling tries to make us form a judgment

without examining the evidence•Appeals to hate and fear

Glittering Generalities Device•Use of “virtue” words•Uses words that appeal to our

emotions of love, generosity and brotherhood

•Words like: truth, freedom, honor, liberty, social justice, public service, loyalty, progress, democracy

Transfer Device•The propagandist carries over the

authority or prestige of something or someone we respect to have us accept something

•The idea that good feelings, looks or ideas are transferred to the person for whom the product is intended

•Often times, strong symbols are used to stir our emotions

Testimonial Device•Uses prominent people with the

expectation that the crowd will follow the leader

•We consider someone else to be an expert and are influenced by their decision

Plain Folks Device• “Just plain folks among the neighbors”•Used to win our confidence by having the “elite”

(politicians, etc.) appearing to be common people, just like us.

Card Stacking Device•Only part of the truth is told •Propagandist uses over-emphasis and under-

emphasis to dodge issues and evade facts

Band Wagon Device• “Everybody’s doing it;

come along and follow the great majority, for it can’t be wrong!”

•Used to make us follow the crowd

•To accept the propagandist’s work in mass

For review, the 7 techniques used:1. Name-calling Device2. Glittering Generalities Device3. Transfer Device4. Testimonial Device5. Plain Folks Device6. Card Stacking Device7. Band Wagon Device

Is all propaganda bad?•What do you think?• It depends, right?• It is important to be aware of techniques used, so

you know if you are being influenced blindly

Let’s test your knowledge now . . .•The following slides contain propaganda techniques

in full effect.•Some are harmless, like buying a certain cell phone

network•Some, though, contain more powerful or hateful

messages•As the image appears, I want you to try to figure out

what device is being used (it can be more than one)

Lucky Jeans

•What propaganda techniques are being used here?

•How?

“Everybody”

Plain Folks?

Band Wagon?

German Propaganda Poster

•What is the message here?

•What symbols are being used?

•What types of propaganda are being used?

Working man

Plain Folks?

Burger King•What propaganda

techniques are being used here?

•How?

So, if I eat here, it’s like grilling at home . . .

Or, maybe it’s just a transfer propaganda technique

Lose Weight & Inches

•What propaganda techniques are being used here?•How?

Well, if the doctor says so!

Card Stacking?

Wait, what about that fine

print?

American Propaganda Poster• What is the message

here?• What types of

propaganda are being used?

• This World War Two propaganda poster urges Americans on the home front to carpool as a way to fight Nazism by making more fuel available to the troops.

Name Calling!

Ford Fusion

•What propaganda techniques are being used here?

•How?

SAFETY!

FAST!

Must be Glittering Generalities!

Political Cartoon

What propaganda techniques are being used here?How?

Wow! Vermin, huh?

Pretty tough names!

Name Calling!

Skechers Shoes

•What propaganda techniques are being used here?

•How?

Who is that?

She wears Skechers, they must be cool!Testimonial!

Politicians

Just like everybody else?

Plain Folks?

What propaganda techniques are being used here?How?

US Propaganda Poster•What is the message

here?•What symbols are being

used?•What types of

propaganda are being used?

Lady LibertyThe children of

AmericaTransfer

Verizon Wireless•What propaganda techniques are being used here?•How?

So everyone is “in”?

Well, I don’t want to be

“out”!

Band Wagon!

Superman

Standing in front of the flag?

Transfer?

What propaganda device is being used?

How?

What propaganda device is being used?

How?

“Best Choice”? Glittering

Generalities?

•What propaganda device is being used?

•How?“When the heat is on, the pain is gone!”Shaq must know!

Icy Hot Patch

Testimonial?

Nazi Propaganda Poster•What is the message

here?•What images are being

used?

A strong, loving family

An eagle protecting them

Plain Folks or Transfer

Testimonial

American Express•What propaganda

techniques are being used here?

•How?Tiger Woods has a lot of money . . .

he must know how to spend it well!And he uses American Express

Testimonial!