Propaganda Techniques:

1
Propaganda Techniques

• Influencing the opinions and
• behaviors of others

2
Definition of Propaganda

• A concerted set of messages aimed at influencing
  the opinions or behavior of large numbers of
  people.
• Presents information in order to influence its
  audience.
• Goal is to elicit an emotional, rather than
  rational, response
• Sometimes completely truthful, but often only
  selective or distorted facts are presented.

3
Techniques used

• Assertion an energetic statement presented as a
  fact, although it is not necessarily true (no
  explanation given)
• Bandwagon join in because everyone else is
  doing it
• Card Stacking only presenting information that
  supports the idealeaving out anything negative

4
Techniques continued

• Glittering Generalities invoking highly valued
  concepts (democracy, honor, freedom) to demand
  approval without thinking
• Lesser of Two Evils the idea promoted is better
  than the alternative (letting the enemy win)
• Name Calling using negative, derogatory
  language to describe the opposition attempts to
  build prejudice

5
Example

• 1947 comic book cover
• Tries to make the viewer afraid
• Assertion (America Under Communism!)
• Card Stacking (only showing destruction, nothing
  positive)
• Glittering Generalities (burning of the American
  flagthe end of freedom)

6
Example

• Long Live Germany!
• Hitler portrayed as heroic leader
• Assertion (the slogan)
• Bandwagon (the army)
• Card Stacking (only happy Germans shown)
• Glittering Generalities (the flowing flag and
  light from heaven)

7
Sources

• SourceWatch Center for Media and Democracy
  (http//www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?titlePropag
  anda_techniques)
• Wikipedia (http//en.wikipedia.or
  g/wiki/Propaganda)
• ThinkQuest site (http//library.thinkquest.org/C01
  11500/proptech.htm)