Download CHAPTER 23 Reading Preview Section 2 Influencing Your Vote

CHAPTER 23
Reading Preview
Section 2 Influencing Your Vote
Objectives
1. Learn about messages from the candidates.
2. Understand the reasons for messages from interest groups.
3. Learn about recognizing propaganda techniques.
4. Explore how news media report the elections.
Target Reading Skill
Preview and Predict Preview the section before you begin reading. Look at the headings and
images. Then predict what the subject of the section is. Use a diagram like this for your
preview and prediction.
---see diagram
Vocabulary Strategy
Recognizing Signal Words Some events are connected in cause-and- effect relationships. The
words in the chart signal causes and effects.
Cause-and-Effect Signal Words
because
since
as a result
affect
lead to
so that
therefore
for this reason
if ... then
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Section 2 Summary
Candidates reach voters in many ways. Interest groups campaign for candidates and the issues
they support. The media cover elections. All three groups influence voters.
Messages from the Candidates
Candidates try to get voters's support in many ways.
 Posters and bumper stickers make candidates' names known.
 Personal appearances help to spread a candidate's message.
 Direct mail helps candidates reach voters who have special interests.
 Candidates place ads in the media. Some tell voters about candidates' stands on major
issues. But most focus on a candidate's personality, rather than his or her abilities. For
this reason, media ads are not good sources of information.
Messages from Interest Groups
Interest groups want to help elect people who agree with them. Large interest groups have
political action committees (PACs) to carry out these election activities. They work hard
for or against ballot measures. Some get money from the people they represent. Others use
direct mail to find people who agree with their views. They hope these people will send
them money.
Many people think that the "special interests" that PACs help have too much power in
government. They say that interest groups stand for only a small percentage of people or
care about only one issue.
Key Terms
direct mail (dih REKT MAYL) n. a way of sending messages to large groups of people
through the mail
media (MEE dee uh) n. television, radio, newspapers, and magazines
Vocabulary Strategy
Recognizing Signal Words Circle words that signal effects under the heading Messages from
the Candidates.
Reading Check
Underline the sentence that tells how direct mail can help candidates.
Reading Check
Bracket the text that tells what PACs are.
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Recognizing Propaganda Techniques
Candidates and interest groups want to influence how people think and act. They use
propaganda to do this. Propaganda may tell only one side of the story It may twist the
truth. It may appeal mostly to people's feelings. This chart shows six common kinds of
propaganda.
Propaganda Techniques
Glittering Generalities Use words and phrases that sound appealing and that everyone
agrees with.
Example: "I Stand Far freedom and the American way."
Card Stacking
Use only those facts that support your argument.
Example: "My opponent voted against raising social security." (You do not mention that
she voted no because the proposed increase was too small.)
Plain Folks
Tell voters that you are just like them - an ordinary person with similar needs and ideas.
Example: "I've lived in this city all my life. My children go to the same schools as your
children do."
Name Calling
Attach negative labels to your opponent.
Example: "He's soft on crime."
Bandwagon
Appeal to desire to follow the crowd.
Example: "Polls show that more than 80 percent of voters support me."
Transfer
Connect yourself to a respected person, group, or symbol.
Example: "Remember what Abraham Lincoln said..."
How News Media Report the Elections
News reporting is supposed to provide facts, but it sometimes shows bias. The news media also
tell people about opinion polls. A poll asks questions of a small part of a group. The
answers are then taken to stand for how the whole group would answer.
Some people think that polls should not be used. Some voters choose a certain candidate
mainly because that candidate is leading in the polls. Others decide whether to vote or not
based on opinion polls.
Many voters today receive most of their information about candidates and issues from TV.
Some people say that television has made election issues seem unimportant. Candidates
plan their messages and campaign activities to look good on TV.
Review Questions
1. How do candidates get voters to vote for them?
2. Name three ways to tell if a message is propaganda.
Key Terms
propaganda (prop uh GAN duh) n. a message meant to change people's ideas or actions
bias (BĪ us) n. giving support to one point of view
Target Reading Skill
Preview and Predict Preview the section Recognizing Propaganda Techniques. Then make a
prediction about it. Use this diagram to preview and predict
Reading Check
Underline the sentence that describes the goal of candidates and interest groups.
Vocabulary Strategy
Recognizing Signal Words Bracket the sentence that contains a cause-and-effect signal word.
Underline the word. Then write C above the cause and E above the effect.
Reading Check
Circle the sentences that explain how polls influence voter behavior
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