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Propaganda
Techniques used to “spin” a
message
What is propaganda?
Information, ideas, or rumors deliberately
spread widely to help or harm a person,
group, movement, institution, nation, etc.
(dictionary.com)
 Generally appeals to emotion rather than
intellect

Methods for sharing
News Reports
 Government Reports
 Commercials
 Radio Ads
 Print Ads
 Leaflets/flyers
 Email, Blogs, Websites

Bandwagon
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An appeal to the subject to follow the crowd
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“Everyone is doing it, so should you!”
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No one wants to be left out
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“Everyone in Lemmington is behind Jim Duffie for Mayor. Shouldn’t
you be part of this winning team?”
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Advertising peer pressure
Fear

Present a dreaded outcome and follow it
up with behavior needed to avoid that
event.
Glittering Generalities
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Usually used to stir up favorable emotions
(Somewhat similar to transfer)
Words often used: democracy, family values,
rights, civilization, American
Cigarette company ad aimed at smokers:
“Don’t let them take your RIGHTS away!”
Name-Calling
Opposite of
Glittering
Generalities
 Ties a person or
cause to a
negative image

Lesser of two evils

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Tries to convince us
of an idea or proposal
by presenting it as the
least offensive option
Often accompanied
by adding blame on
an enemy
Simplification/pinpointing the
enemy

Focuses on stereotyping the enemy in a
way that will evoke negative feelings

Pinpointing the enemy is used extremely
often during wartime, and also in political
campaigns and debates. This is an
attempt to simplify a complex situation by
presenting one specific group or person as
the enemy.
Transfer
Use of symbols, quotes or the images of
famous people to convey a message not
necessarily associated with them.
 Religious and patriotic images are most
commonly used

Logical Fallacy
Applying logic, one can draw conclusions
 However with the logical fallacy, the
premise may be accurate but the
conclusion is not.

 Premise
1: Jim Dean supports gun control.
 Premise 2: Communist regimes have always
supported gun control
 Conclusion: Jim Dean is a communist
Assertion
Enthusiastic or energetic statement
presented as fact, although it is not
necessarily true.
 Statement has no back-up info or
explanation
 Is usually accepted without question
 Example: In advertising-when someone
claims their product is “the best”
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YOU DECIDE