Propaganda Techniques

What is Propaganda? Propaganda is a combined set of messages aimed at influencing the opinions or behaviors of large numbers of people. Propaganda is generally an appeal to emotion, contrasted to an appeal to intellect. Propaganda shares techniques with advertising (commercials) and public relations.

Just Plain Folks Designed to make voters think that the candidate is just like them Examples: wearing hard hats or work clothes, playing baseball or basketball, talking to working-class people, etc. “My parents were ordinary, hardworking people, and taught me those values.”

  The Bandwagon Designed to convince people to support your side by saying that most people agree with you Appeal to many people’s desire to be on the winning team “Polls show our candidate is pulling ahead, and we expect to win in a landslide.”

Name-Calling Designed to get voters to turn against a candidate by using a unpleasant label or description “Candidate A is a dangerous extremist.”

Endorsements (Testimonial) Have famous/ well-known people supporting you Well known star says “I’m voting for Candidate B and so should you.”

Glittering Generalities A statement that sounds good but is essentially meaningless. “Candidate B is the one who will bring us peace and prosperity.”

Transfer (symbols) Designed to appeal to the public, usually through patriotism Associating a patriotic symbol with a candidate, like the American flag.

Stacked Cards Present only one side of an argument by distorting the facts. “Candidate C has the best record on the environment.”