What is it? How is it used? Why do we care? So now what? Propaganda What is it? How is it used? Why do we care? So now what?

Propaganda: biased, one-sided communication meant to influence the thoughts and actions of an audience

Methods used are generally stronger than basic persuasion It may conceal contradictory information. It may discourage debate. It may lie or distort facts. It may rely on simple, repetitive phrases. It may work to gain trust of the audience.

It may use powerful symbols. It may use connotative meanings (words with emotional attachments)

Where is it found? Print (magazines, newspapers) TV Radio It is all around you

Why? To manipulate YOU!

Propaganda may use Comparison Emotional appeal Facts/Figures Humor Sexual appeal Security Slogans

Benign (harmless) yet familiar ad slogans can sell anything from toothpaste to credit cards. Got Milk? When you care enough to send the very best Have it your way For everything else, there’s Mastercard Reach out and touch someone Built Ford Tough Pepsi – A new generation

More serious campaigns Find the strength you never knew you had (National Guard) Just say No Be all that you can be

Political Campaigns Sometimes take focus off issues to sell an idea, implying only that candidate can produce the desired outcome. Regan campaign of ’84 (Four years later more people can buy homes, new cars, and more jobs are available.) Johnson campaign of 64 (We must create a “world where all God’s children live. We must love each other or die.” )

In the most negative light – propaganda can Be defined as ideas, information, allegations spread deliberately to further one’s cause or to harm an opposing cause. (Watch and read carefully in Animal Farm to see whether the propaganda is benign (meaning harmless) or negative.)

So what does it matter to me? Be informed Be aware Make wise decisions See beyond the hype and emotion By knowing that you are bombarded daily, on all fronts: commercial, societal, political

Think for yourself and evaluate Orwell believed that people’s ignorance contributed to their political and social oppression Don’t become one of the non-thinking “sheep” of society.

So what now? Practice by creating Organize teams of three Create a slogan to sell an idea, group, product, club, activity Write a brief, yet formal description of your goal, slogan, audience, and method of persuasion Present and sell your slogan to the class Evaluate the slogans of your peers