Download The Seven Features of Propaganda - I

Year 5 IB Lang and Lit
Language and Mass Communication Term 3
The Seven Features of Propaganda
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Assertion
False Dilemma
Plain Folks
Name-calling and pinpointing the enemy
Simplification
Glittering personalities
Card Stacking
Match the examples below with the 7 propaganda techniques above:
a. The most well-known example of this propaganda technique was its use by Adolf
Hitler who would use words that were linked to ideas like freedom, pride,
independence, and integrity in his speeches. This way he would create a sense of
pride in the audience in the concept of fatherland as he suggested it. It was the use
of this technique that helped him gain the mass support that he had.
“There
is a road to freedom. Its milestones are Obedience, Endeavor, Honesty,
Order, Cleanliness, Sobriety, Truthfulness, Sacrifice, and love of the Fatherland.
“(Adolf Hitler)
b. It has played a tremendously powerful role in the history of the world and in our
own individual development. They have ruined reputations, stirred men and
women to outstanding accomplishments, sent others to prison cells, and made
men mad enough to enter battle and slaughter their fellowmen. They have been
and are applied to other people, groups, gangs, tribes, colleges, political parties,
neighborhoods, states, sections of the country, nations, and races." (Institute for
Propaganda Analysis, 1938)
Obvious examples are:
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Commie
Fascist
Yuppie
Queer
Terrorist
social engineering
ACS International School
Year 5 IB Lang and Lit
Language and Mass Communication Term 3
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“special-interest groups”
radical
c. This is a technique that is used quite commonly during elections. Most politicians
try to establish a rapport with their voter group by creating the image that they
have a lot in common. Therefore, the images of George Bush wearing denims and
a plaid shirt while relaxing at Camp David or Bill Clinton eating at McDonalds
are all examples of using the technique.
To a large extent the campaign slogan, “Yes, We Can” endorsed by President Obama
also utilized the same method.
d. Easy explanations and promotional tools in the hope of reaching people and
making them internalize and repeat the message. Slogans are particularly useful
for this: E.g. “loose lips sink ships” from the Second World War, adopted to
remind people to be careful about discussing information critical to national
security.
e. More commonly used in advertising and modern propaganda. An enthusiastic or
energetic statement presented as a fact, although it is not necessarily true. They often
imply that the statement requires no explanation or back up, but that it should merely
be accepted without question. It is often a dangerous form of propaganda because it
often includes falsehoods or lies.
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M&M’s - : "Melts in your mouth, not in your hand"
Head and Shoulders - "You get rid of dandruff"
Domino’s Pizza - "You get fresh, hot pizza delivered to your door in 30 minutes
or less -- or it's free."
e. Selective omission. It involves only presenting information that is positive to an
idea or proposal and omitting information contrary to it. Although the majority of
information presented by the card stacking approach is true, it is dangerous
because it omits important information. Deliberate action taken to bias an
argument is also part of this
e.g. A politician just happens to be in town when a new school is opening so they just drop in, hi-jacking the press for their own means.
f. This is based on the assumption that the choices offered are the only choices. By
focusing on the choice, the decision to be made, the other person is distracted
from the fact that there may be other alternatives.
e.g. “Either you are with me or against me.”
“We have to spend less on hospitals, otherwise we won't be able
to afford education improvements.”
ACS International School
Year 5 IB Lang and Lit
Language and Mass Communication Term 3
ACS International School