Download Detect propaganda - The Critical Thinking Consortium

Teacher Guide
TT
Detect propaganda
identifying various propaganda techniques
used by an individual or group
targeted
4
adaptable
Primary
Intermediate
Middle
Senior
Learning outcomes
• differentiate between propaganda and reasoned argument
• understand various techniques that are used to deliver propaganda
• understand the effects of propaganda
4
When to use the strategy
• analyze information distributed by political parties
• analyze the justification for political decisions
• analyze news releases and publications
• determine the role of propaganda in the rise to power or leadership role of an individual (e.g.,
fictional character, historical figure)
• identifying the greatest propagandist
How to use the strategy
Prior knowledge
• the difference between propaganda and reasoned argument
• knowledge of the individual or group using the techniques
• techniques of propaganda
Ideas to emphasize
• Powerful leaders do not necessarily possess the best leadership qualities, but may use manipulative
means to enhance their position.
• Propaganda techniques can be used in a variety of situations.
• Propaganda techniques serve specific purposes (e.g., win support, gain trust, incite fear).
Instructional suggestions
• Present students with a scenario in which they want to get their own way (e.g., persuading parents to extend a curfew, convincing a teacher to delay an examination). Invite students to work in
groups and brainstorm techniques they would use to convince their parents or teacher. Share ideas
with the class. Point out that their suggestions are strategies used to gain power.
• Distinguish between reasoned arguments and propaganda and ask students to provide an example
of each. Categorize students’ previous suggestions, from reasoned argument to propaganda.
• Brainstorm situations when propaganda techniques might be used.
• Introduce the propaganda techniques listed on the activity sheet. Invite students to work in groups
to identify situations when each technique might be useful.
• Confirm students’ understanding of each propaganda technique by providing examples and asking
students identify the technique.
© The Critical Thinking Consortium
Detect propaganda
Student
Guide
identifying various propaganda techniques
used by an individual or group
Purpose
This strategy helps me understand
propaganda techniques and to differentiate
between propaganda and a reasoned
argument.
Instructions
• Before you begin, make sure you understand the meaning of each propaganda technique.
• Select an individual or group that may have used propaganda to gain support (e.g., advertising agency, politician, historical figure, fictional character).
• Carefully read the information about the individual / group. Pay particular attention to the
statements used to convince the audience to believe or do something. Underline these statements.
• Refer to the list of techniques on the activity sheet. Put a check mark beside the techniques
you think the individual used.
• Read each underlined statement again and decide which technique they illustrate.
• Record a quote, reference or example for each technique you identified.
• If necessary, consult other sources of information about or by the same individual to find
other uses of propaganda techniques.
Dete
cting
prop
Iden
tify pr
opag
and
anda
prov
ide tw
te
o exam chniques
us
ples
of ea ed by the
ch.
individ
Prop
agan
da
techni
Selec
ques
tivity
: se
that
suit th lecting on
e prop
ly facts
purp
ose
agan
dists’
Repe
tit
repeat ion: if a sta
teme
ed of
nt
te
be re
memb n enough is
ered
, it wi
ll
agan
da
ual or
First
grou
p
Activ
ity
Shee
t
exam
ple
Seco
nd ex
Lies an
d halflie to
truth
gain
audie s: telling
a
nce su
ppor
t
ampl
e
Rhet
orica
l qu
that
do no estions:
qu
t
beca
use th require an estions
e answ
answ
er
er is
obvio
us
Target
ing th
a grou
e enem
p by
y:
un
ident
or im
ifying
ify
agine
d enem ing a real
y
Criteria
Asse
rtion
: makin
ment
g bold
s rath
er th
argu
state
an
ment
s to de reasoned
tion
fend
a posiBand
wago
n:
to do
or be convincing
lieve
sayin
ot
hers
so
g ever
yone mething by
else do
es
Comp
ariso
n: am
quali
plifyi
tie
ng va
comp s and/or ac
lues,
ar
tions
some ing them
by
selve
one els
s to
e
Emba
rrassm
nent
ent:
s loo
k fooli making op
able
posh or
by
unde
ing sto presentin
sirg em
ries ab
ba
rrassout th
Humo
em
ur
the go : use humo
od sid
ur to
beco
me fri e of audie get on
endly
nce or
to wi
n tru
st
Identification of techniques: correctly identifies numerous
techniques.
Supporting examples: examples clearly illustrate the technique.
Identi
fication
Supp
orting
of tec
hniqu
exam
ples:
es: co
rrectl
exam
Criter
ia
y ide
ples cle
ntifies
arly illu
strate
nume
rous
the tec
techn
iques.
hniqu
e.
© Th
e Cri
tical
Think
ing Co
nsortiu
m
© The Critical Thinking Consortium
Detecting propaganda
Activity
Sheet
Identify propaganda techniques used by the individual or group
and provide two examples of each.
Propaganda
techniques
First example
Second example
Selectivity: selecting only facts
that suit the propagandists’
purpose
Repetition: if a statement is
repeated often enough, it will
be remembered
Lies and half-truths: telling a
lie to gain audience support
Rhetorical questions: questions
that do not require an answer
because the answer is obvious
Targeting the enemy: unifying
a group by identifying a real
or imagined enemy
Assertion: making bold statements rather than reasoned
arguments to defend a position
Bandwagon: convincing others
to do or believe something by
saying everyone else does
Comparison: amplifying values,
qualities and/or actions by
comparing themselves to
someone else
Embarrassment: making opponents look foolish or undesirable by presenting embarrassing stories about them
Humour: use humour to get on
the good side of audience or
become friendly to win trust
Criteria
Identification of techniques: correctly identifies numerous techniques.
Supporting examples: examples clearly illustrate the technique.
© The Critical Thinking Consortium
Assessing the techniques
Rubric
Identification of techniques
Excellent
Correctly identifies all of
the techniques
used.
Very Good
Correctly identifies some
of the techniques
used.
Competent
Correctly identifies half of
the techniques
used.
Basic
Not Yet Able
Correctly identifies very
few of the techniques
used.
Evidence:
Supporting examples
Excellent
Very Good
Competent
Illustrates each technique
with two examples,
quotes or references, and
evidence is convincing.
Illustrates most of the
techniques with two
examples, quotes or references, and most evidence
is convincing.
Illustrates some
techniques with two
examples, quotes or
references, and evidence
is somewhat convincing.
Basic
Not Yet Able
Illustrates very few
techniques with
convincing examples,
quotes or references.
Evidence:
© The Critical Thinking Consortium