Download Propaganda Analysis 8 Common Propaganda Devices

Propaganda Analysis
Propaganda – It is a term that is used by individuals a lot. Most people define it as the words or pictures some person or
entity uses to get people to think in a certain way. That is not a bad definition. The problem is that many times the uses of
propaganda are not obvious. Some uses are not even noticeable but are meant to work on your subconscious. Thus, it
would help if you knew what you were looking for.
People often have a hard time really seeing what propaganda is unless someone points it out for them. It would help if
someone put together a framework for people so they could articulate what they see. Lucky for us, the Institute for
Propaganda Analysis (IPA) did just that in 1937.
The IPA was made up of editors, journalists, educators, historians, and social scientists who were concerned with the
great deal of propaganda that was being churned out in the 1930s. They felt this propaganda was clouding the public’s
ability to make rational judgments in domestic/foreign affairs. They developed a framework for citizens to identify
propaganda and critically analyze it.
The IPA’s framework has 7 propaganda devices: Name-Calling, Glittering Generalities, Transfer, Testimonial, Plain Folks,
Card Stacking, and Bandwagon (the website we will explore has 8 devices; it splits Card Stacking into Euphemisms and
Fear). This framework was dispersed to citizens through bulletins and flyers. The IPA suspended operations in 1942, due
partially to the fact that by that time they were not only evaluating enemy propaganda but American examples as well.
Critics claimed that the IPA created an atmosphere of “more of a destructive skepticism than an intelligent reflectiveness.”
It may have wasted away due to its own success.
Instructions: (1)Go to the website - http://www.propagandacritic.com/articles/index.html (link
on Fusion) – (2)Read the articles “Why Think About Propaganda” and “The Institute for
Propaganda Analysis.” (3)Read through the examples of the common techniques. For each of
the common techniques, define in your own words, explain why it is effective, and give any
current examples of use of the technique that you have seen.
8 Common Propaganda Devices
WORD GAMES
(1.)
Name-Calling
Define it:
Why is it effective?
Any current examples of the technique?
Questions to ask when you spot this technique in use:
What does the name mean?
Does the idea in question have a legitimate connection with the real meaning of the name?
Is an idea that serves my best interests being dismissed through giving it a name I don't like?
Leaving the name out of consideration, what are the merits of the idea itself?
(2.)
Glittering Generalities
Define it:
Why is the technique effective?
Any current examples of the technique?
Questions to ask when you spot this technique in use:
What does the virtue word really mean?
Does the idea in question have a legitimate connection with the real meaning of the word?
Is an idea that does not serve my best interests being "sold" to me merely through its being given a name that I
like?
Leaving the virtue word out of consideration, what are the merits of the idea itself?
(3.)
Euphemisms
Define it:
Why is the technique effective?
Any current examples of the technique?
FALSE CONNECTIONS
(4.)
Transfer
Define it:
Why is the technique effective?
Any current examples of the technique?
Questions to ask when you spot this technique in use:
In the most simple and concrete terms, what is the proposal of the speaker?
What is the meaning of the thing from which the propagandist is seeking to transfer authority, sanction, and
prestige?
Is there any legitimate connection between the proposal of the propagandist and the revered thing, person, or
institution?
Leaving the propagandistic trick out of the picture, what are the merits of the proposal when viewed alone?
(5.)
Testimonial
Define it:
Why is the technique effective?
Any current examples of the technique?
Questions to ask when you spot this technique in use:
Who or what is quoted in the testimonial?
Why should we regard this person (or organization or publication) as having expert knowledge or trustworthy
information on the subject in question?
What does the idea amount to on its own merits, without the benefit of the testimonial?
SPECIAL APPEALS
Plain Folks
Define it:
(6.)
Why is the technique effective?
Any current examples of the technique?
Questions to ask when you spot this technique in use:
What are the propagandist's ideas worth when divorced from his or her personality?
What could he or she be trying to cover up with the plain-folks approach?
What are the facts?
Bandwagon
Define it:
(7.)
Why is the technique effective?
Any current examples of the technique?
Questions to ask when you spot this technique in use:
What is this propagandist's program?
What is the evidence for and against the program?
Regardless of the fact that others are supporting this program, should I support it?
Does the program serve or undermine my individual and collective interests?
Fear
Define it:
(8.)
Why is the technique effective?
Any current examples of the technique?
Questions to ask when you spot this technique in use:
Is the speaker exaggerating the fear or threat in order to obtain my support?
How legitimate is the fear that the speaker is provoking?
Will performing the recommended action actually reduce the supposed threat?
When viewed dispassionately, what are the merits of the speaker's proposal?
Logical Fallacies
Instructions: Define and explain the 2 concepts that follow.
Bad Logic or Propaganda?
Unwarranted Extrapolation
When you see an example of Unwarranted Extrapolation, you should ask yourself:
Is there enough data to support the speaker's predictions about the future?
Can I think of other ways that things might turn out?
If there are many different ways that things could turn out, why is the speaker painting such an extreme picture?
Instructions: At the bottom of the index, go to the more contemporary examples. After reading
the examples given, analyze them for, if present, any propaganda techniques or logical
fallacies that you can detect. You may categorize an example under more than one of the
common propaganda devices within the framework.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
EXTRA CREDIT –Visit http://www.calvin.edu/academic/cas/gpa/ww2era.htm#Posters see if you can find an
example of one of the propaganda techniques used in the examples on this site. Show the visual/audio/document
to the class and explain it and its author’s use of propaganda tools.