Download propaganda and logical fallacies

PROPAGANDA NOTES
PROPAGANDA
What we think…
 We often think of propaganda as something negative, as in a con or a lie.
 But propaganda really doesn't have anything to do with negative or positive. It's a technique of persuasion.
What propaganda is…
 Refers to any technique that attempts to influence the opinions, emotions, attitudes or behavior of a group in order to benefit the
sponsor.
COMMON PROPAGANDA TECHNIQUES
Name Calling
 Selected words are used to make a product, a person, or a group of people sound bad.
 Example: My opponent is a slithering snake who tricks everyone into believing that he is good for this country and its goals.
Glittering Generalities
 Adjectives are used in the outstanding form to place the product in the glittering spotlight.
 Example: Super Nova, the newest car is the finest car on the market because it is the fastest.
Transfer
 Glory or guilt by association; We transfer the feelings we have of a person/idea we either love or hate and respect or disrespect
to the group or idea wanting acceptance
 Example: Looking very athletic and extremely fit, Michael Jordan is standing next to a famous brand of Swift clothing with a
smile on his face.
Bandwagoning
 Everybody else is buying this product. Jump on the bandwagon.
 Example: Rambler blue jeans are worn by most teenagers.
Card Stacking
 It is selective omission that is usually used for things the promoter KNOWS are harmful where they only present one side of the
information and omitting the contrary.
 Example: Saying “Representative McNerd introduced more new bills than any other member of the Congress," and neglect to
mention that most of them were so preposterous that they were laughed off the floor.
 However, it is NOT something like an advertisement for junk food that neglects to mention that it’s fattening.
Plain Folks
 An appeal to the common person by appearing to be “just like them” or having the same values like family, patriotism, etc.
 Examples: a prominent politician eats at McDonald’s; an actress is photographed shopping for groceries
Lesser of Two Evils
 A technique that tries to convince us of an idea or proposal by presenting it as the least offensive option.
 This technique is often implemented during wartime to convince people of the need for sacrifices or to justify difficult decisions.
This technique is often accompanied by adding blame on an enemy country or political group. One idea or proposal is often
depicted as one of the only options or paths.
Pinpointing the Enemy:
 This is an attempt to simplify a complex situation by presenting one specific group or person as the enemy. Although there may
be other factors involved the subject is urged to simply view the situation in terms of clear-cut right and wrong.
 Pinpointing the enemy is used extremely often during wartime, and also in political campaigns and debates.