How do people influence you? Propaganda and Persuasive Techniques How do people influence you? Sherwood Brooks Driftwood Middle School 2010

A means of convincing people: to buy a certain product What is Persuasion? A means of convincing people: to buy a certain product to believe something or act in a certain way to agree with a point of view

Persuasive Techniques False Analogy – compares two things that do not have enough similarities to be a valid comparison

Persuasive Techniques False premise – begins with a statement that is not true People who wear glasses are smart. Naomi wears glasses, so she is smart

Persuasive Techniques Red Herring – a reason that distracts from the argument

Persuasive Techniques Either/or Fallacy – assumes that there are only two alternatives. Either go to college or forget about getting a good job.

Common propaganda techniques often used in advertising Slogan Repetition Bandwagon Testimonial Emotional Appeal Expert Opinion

Repetition: The name of a product is repeated many times HEAD ON Apply directly to the forehead HEAD ON Apply directly to the forehead HEAD ON Apply directly to the forehead

Slogan: “Can you hear me now?” A catchy phrase or statement often used to sell a service or a product.

Bandwagon A statement suggesting that everyone is using a specific product, so you should too Persuading people to do something by letting them know others are doing it Gives impression that you will be left out if you don’t do what you are being persuaded Example: “See why so many women have switched” (Shampoo advertisement)

Why are these examples of Bandwagon?

Testimonial A well-known person supports a product or service

Emotional Appeal A person is made to have strong feelings about a situation or product Using the words of a famous person to persuade you “Got Milk?” Loaded words that make people feel strongly - love/hate, Sports figures promoting athletic gear, sports drinks, or shoes.

Testimonial Experts approve this product, so you should use it “Four out of five dentists recommend sugarless gum for their patients who chew gum”

Testimonial works because you feel like you can trust the words of an expert or someone who is famous.

Expert Opinion Ads using scientific sounding language to make a product seem more effective. Appeals to the audience’s intellect “Four out of five dentists recommend this toothpaste….” “Studies show that….”

Quick Review Slogan Repetition Bandwagon Testimonial Emotional Appeal Expert Opinion

Homework Bring to school magazine and newspaper ads, pictures printed from the Internet, movie posters, videotaped commercials, or other materials that attempt to persuade people in some way.