Propaganda

• The Band Wagon Device • The Testimonial Device• The Transfer Device • The Name Calling Device • The Glittering Generalities Device • The Plain Folks Device • The Card Stacking Device

Bandwagon

• Attempts to persuade people to support a candidate, issue, or product because large numbers of other people are supposedly doing so.

Bandwagon

Bandwagon

• The Bandwagon uses social evidence to legitimize itself and become attractive. It plays heavily on the need for belonging, making the group a desirable place to be.

Bandwagon

• The main theme is very recognizable: "everybody's doing it!" The technique here is one of the revival show. Fill a hall or stadium, march a million men in a parade. Use pomp and circumstance, music, flags, colors, movement, all the dramatic arts. The user of the Band Wagon device appeals to the desire common to most of us, to follow the crowd.

Testimonial or Endorsement

• Involves persuading people to support an issue or candidate because well-known individuals, such as a prominent government official or famous entertainer, offer such support.

Testimonial or Endorsement

Testimonial

Transfer or Association

• Involves associating a candidate with a respected person, group, or symbol.

Transfer or AssociationGood feelings, looks, or ideas transferred to the person

for whom the product is intended.

Transfer or Association

• In the Transfer device, symbols are constantly used. The cross represents the Christian church. The flag represents the nation. Transfer uses symbols to stir emotions. At their very sight, in an instance, we can be aroused to a myriad of complex of feelings with respect to a subject. The Transfer device can be used for and against causes and ideas.

Transfer or Association

Name Calling

• Attaches a negative or unpopular label to a person to discredit that person’s public image.

Name Calling

Name Calling

• The propagandist appeals to hate and fear by giving "bad names" to groups, nations, races, practices, beliefs and ideals they would have us condemn and reject. Name calling can also accomplished by implication with a "bad name". Such as the headline: "so and so visits communist China, ignores human rights issue."

Glittering Generalities

• Uses broad, sweeping statements that sound impressive but have little real meaning.

Glittering Generalities

• A common element of glittering generalities are intangible nouns that embody ideals, such as dignity, freedom, fame, integrity, justice, love and respect.

Glittering Generalities

Plain Folks

• Attempts to attract people to a political figure by portraying him/her as just an average American.

Plain Folks

Plain Folks

• Used by politicians, business leaders, ministers and etc. to win our confidence by appearing to be people like ourselves--"just plain folks among the neighbors." This is especially true during election years. Politicians kiss babies, eat apple pie, wave the flag (transfer device) go to picnics; they show up at places or do things they would never usually do just to show that they are just like us.

Plain Folks

Card Stacking

• Attempts to persuade people to support a candidate or issue by making the positive characteristics far outweigh the negative. It can also be used to make the negative far outweigh the positive for opposing sides.

Card Stacking

• The propagandist using card stacking will omit facts and offer false testimony. They will create a smoke screen by raising a new issue when a position cannot be defended or becomes embarrassing.

Other Techniques

• Misery - Appeals to pity or sympathy to gain support.

• Fancy Words - Use of elegant or technical sounding words to persuade and camouflage the truth.

• Word Magic - Uses emotional or catchy words to create a positive feeling and makes it easier to remember the product or idea.

Other Techniques

• Black and White - Presents an issue as having only two choices. If you don’t like one choice, you must choose the other

• Simplicity and Repetition - Keep it simple and say it often enough so people will remember it and believe it

“Voters deserve a candidate who knows they don’t have a lot of money to spare for fancy government programs. I’ve worked hard all my life. I promise to handle the city’s money as if it were my own.”

Glittering Generalities

Identify these propaganda techniques

“Don’t be left out, most people agree with us, you should too.” Which technique is being used?

Bandwagon

“I’m going to Disney World after the Super Bowl says, Drew Brees” Which technique is being used?

Testimonial or Endorsement

. “My opponent promises to cut the city budget to increase police protection and to open new fire stations all at the same time. Ladies and gentlemen, my opponent is either a magician or a fool.”

Name Calling

A candidate shoots a commercial and shows him helping to build a house.

Which technique is being used?

Plain Folks

A lawyer makes a commercial standing by famous New Orleans landmarks. Which technique is being used?

Transfer or association

Techniques of Persuasion/Propaganda:card stacking bandwagontestimonial/endorsement plain folks transfer/associationglittering generalitiesname calling