Propaganda What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You

What IS Propaganda? Spread of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, cause, or person Directly aimed at influencing the opinions of people rather than impartially providing information Has a negative connotation of disseminating false or misleading information Does not have to be untrue to qualify as propaganda, but may omit so many pertinent truths that it becomes highly misleading

Propaganda Techniques NAME-CALLING –Using derogatory, insulting words to describe the enemy. –Ex: “Commie”, “Terrorist” –Often used in politics, but not in advertising. GLITTERING GENERALITIES –Words have an established positive connotation. –Words are linked to highly valued concepts. –Ex: Freedom Fighter vs. Terrorist

Propaganda Techniques EUPHEMISMS –Uses vague or mild terms when dealing with harsh or offensive situations; it makes it sound nicer. –Examples: “correctional facility” vs. “prison” “passed away” vs. “died” TRANSFER –Makes a person view a certain item in the same way as they view another item; links the two together.

Propaganda Techniques TESTIMONIALS –“I am doing it, so should you.” –A well known person is linked to a product –Celebrities are often used for this technique PLAIN FOLKS –“I am just like you.” –The propagandist convinces the public that his views reflect those of the common person.

Propaganda Techniques BANDWAGON –“Everyone is doing it.” –Follow the crowd; join in because others are doing it. –Tries to convince the subject that one side is the winning side because more people have joined it. FEAR/SCARE TACTICS –“Do it or else.” –A threat is being posed if you do not go along with what is being said. SCAPEGOAT –“He did it.” –One person is being wrongfully blamed for the action of another.

What type of propaganda is this?

Propaganda Scavenger Hunt In your group, search through the magazines and find five different examples of propaganda. On a piece of paper complete the following for each example: 1.Write a brief description of the ad Ex: Tiger Woods drinking Gatorade and sinking a putt. 2.What propaganda technique is being used? 3.What is the ultimate goal of the ad? 4.How is this technique successful at reaching its goal?

Propaganda and Animal Farm 1.Find two examples of blatant propaganda in Animal Farm. 2.Who was responsible for spreading the propaganda? Why was it successful? 3.What kind of propaganda was it? 4.What was the impact of the propaganda? In a well-written paragraph with layered analysis, discuss how propaganda helped the pigs keep their power over the other animals on the farm.

Propaganda Poster Activity 1.Meet in your revolutionary committees (groups of four). 2.Create a political concept based on your political system notes that you want people to get behind. 3.Each committee member chooses a different propaganda technique: Transfer Scapegoat Fear/Scare Tactics Testimonials Name-Calling Euphemisms Glittering Generalities Plain Folks Bandwagon 4.Make an advertisement with a slogan supporting their revolution and using the specified propaganda technique.