Download Persuasion and Propaganda

Can persuasion and
propaganda be justified?
Emily Richardson, Morgan Low, Maddie Lean, Julie Hatfield,
Holly Morgan, Paige Clarke
COMM/PBRL2013:02
Group 1
Introduction
 What is persuasion and how it is used
 Examples
 What is propaganda
 More recent examples of propaganda
 Our thoughts on if persuasion and propaganda are ever
justified
Definition of persuasion:
 Definition
 Persuasion characteristics
 Persuasion can be...
 It is important to tailor your speech to your audience when
persuading, you should...
 Understanding how people feel is important when using
persuasion
 Interpersonal persuasion
Example of persuasion
 Kony 2012
 Direct approach
 Pathos and Logos
 Fear-then-relief
 Introduce the issue, describe the issue (include visuals),
relate issue to audiences’ relatable experiences
Propaganda:

Generally biased information used frequently in
promoting one’s particular view

– can be used to help or harm
- many different types of propaganda

– all help to make people want something

Response to Kony 2012 is Mixed (2012) In
Urban Faith. Retrieved from
http://www.urbanfaith.com/2012/03/respons
e-to-kony-2012-is-mixed.html/.
Propaganda (2014) In Dictionary.com. Retrieved
from
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/propa
ganda.
Example of propaganda

Kony 2012” the short film was released on March 5th, 2012 on YouTube by
Invisible Children

The organization wanted the video and the campaign to go viral in order to
make Joseph Kony famous and result in his arrest

Invisible Children offered posters, stickers, t-shirts and other merchandise
with the Kony 2012 logo

They launched a “Cover the Night” event where supporters were supposed
to cover their towns in Kony 2012 posters, in order to spread the word and
recruit more supporters
When are propaganda and
persuasion justified?
 Depending on the relevance to the audience
 Is it ethical?
 Will there be potential hostility?
 Is the audience vulnerable (are they previously informed
on the matter)?
Is propaganda justified?

Pros

Cons

Good causes- Kony 2012

Bad causes- WWII

People are naturally easily persuaded, this can
harm our ability to make our own opinions, so is
propaganda really ever justified?

OBEY

http://www.obeyclothing.ca/propaganda

http://vinyleschiles.com/imagenes/2010/07/m
rspray.gif
conclusion
 Persuasion and propaganda
 Our thoughts on the justification of propaganda and
persuasion
 Common uses of persuasion and propaganda
sources

Response to Kony 2012 is Mixed (2012) In Urban Faith. Retrieved from
http://www.urbanfaith.com/2012/03/response-to-kony-2012-is-mixed.html/.
Propaganda (2014) In Dictionary.com. Retrieved from
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/propaganda.

obey picture: http://vinyleschiles.com/imagenes/2010/07/mrspray.gif

http://www.obeyclothing.ca/propaganda

Adler, Ronald B., and George R. Rodman. Understanding Human Communication. Second ed. New York:
Oxford UP, 2003. Print. Canadian Edition.

Remember Kony 2012? Well, it's 2013. What happened? (2013, January 11). Retrieved November 17,
2014, from http://www.news.com.au/world/remember-kony-2012-well-its-2013-what-happened/storyfndir2ev-1226550575923

50 Types of Propaganda (2014) In Daily Writing Tips. Retrieved from
http://www.dailywritingtips.com/50-types-of-propaganda/.