Propaganda Passing off opinions as fact…

So what is it? Propaganda: Propaganda: information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely to help or harm a person, group, movement, institution, nation, etc. information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely to help or harm a person, group, movement, institution, nation, etc.

Where do we encounter propaganda? With your partner, come up with a list. With your partner, come up with a list. 2 minutes 2 minutes

IT CAN BE SINISTER AND BAD….

The caption: "The Jew: The inciter of war, the prolonger of war." German poster from WWII.

American poster from WWII. American poster from WWII.

WWII German poster. “Long live Germany.” WWII German poster. “Long live Germany.”

American poster from WWII. American poster from WWII.

But propaganda can also seem quite harmless…

This is propaganda… This is propaganda…

This is propaganda as well… This is propaganda as well…

So is propaganda always evil? NO!! It is often used for very devious purposes (during wartime, to spread dangerous ideas), but it is often present in everyday ads and messages. NO!! It is often used for very devious purposes (during wartime, to spread dangerous ideas), but it is often present in everyday ads and messages.

Propaganda is simply trying to pass off an emotional message as a logical thought. Though the message “looks” logical, the message actually plays to the audience’s emotions, prejudices, and fears… Though the message “looks” logical, the message actually plays to the audience’s emotions, prejudices, and fears…

Propaganda techniques Name calling: using charged names to label a person, whether the info is true or not. Name calling: using charged names to label a person, whether the info is true or not. The president could be called a “hero” or a “war monger” depending on differing political opinions. Both are names that suggest very different attitudes toward the president, but neither are necessarily backed up with facts. They evoke EMOTION! The president could be called a “hero” or a “war monger” depending on differing political opinions. Both are names that suggest very different attitudes toward the president, but neither are necessarily backed up with facts. They evoke EMOTION!

Propaganda techniques cont. Transfer: Using a symbol or idea that is unrelated to your message to make people think better of you. EXAMPLE: All American Plumbing. Transfer: Using a symbol or idea that is unrelated to your message to make people think better of you. EXAMPLE: All American Plumbing. Does it really make you a better plumber if you are an American? Does it really make you a better plumber if you are an American? The positive feelings of being American are supposed to transfer to your choice of a plumber… The positive feelings of being American are supposed to transfer to your choice of a plumber…

Transfer… With your partner, give 2 examples of transfer. With your partner, give 2 examples of transfer. 1 minute 1 minute

Propaganda techniques cont… Glittering Generality: using vague, positive words to create positive feeling without specific support for the words. The key is that the words are VAGUE and GENERAL. Glittering Generality: using vague, positive words to create positive feeling without specific support for the words. The key is that the words are VAGUE and GENERAL. Example: New Crest toothpaste is new and improved. It whitens better than ever. This gives a vague picture why the toothpaste is supposed to work. Example: New Crest toothpaste is new and improved. It whitens better than ever. This gives a vague picture why the toothpaste is supposed to work.

Propaganda techniques cont… Bandwagon: The feeling that everyone else is doing something, so you should too. Bandwagon: The feeling that everyone else is doing something, so you should too. “Don’t be late.” “Supplies are limited.” “Join the millions who already have ___________.” “Don’t be late.” “Supplies are limited.” “Join the millions who already have ___________.”

Propaganda techniques… Plain Folks appeal: Where someone who is more powerful or privileged that the rest of us tries to act like they are just like us. Plain Folks appeal: Where someone who is more powerful or privileged that the rest of us tries to act like they are just like us. Politicians use these all the time!!!! Politicians use these all the time!!!! “Look at me, I’m John Kerry and I like to hunt just like you do!” “Look at me, I’m John Kerry and I like to hunt just like you do!”

Propaganda techniques cont… Testimonial: the use of athletes, movie stars, or anyone else famous or powerful to endorse a product, even though that product is not responsible for their success. Testimonial: the use of athletes, movie stars, or anyone else famous or powerful to endorse a product, even though that product is not responsible for their success.

With your partner… Give two examples of testimonial appeals… Give two examples of testimonial appeals… 1 minute 1 minute

Propaganda techniques cont… Card stacking: Highlighting positives while downplaying or ignoring negatives in a persuasive message. Card stacking: Highlighting positives while downplaying or ignoring negatives in a persuasive message. DRUG COMMERCIALS and cigarette ads are the best examples. (They show happy people, and include tiny print that warns of dangers and disgusting side effects) DRUG COMMERCIALS and cigarette ads are the best examples. (They show happy people, and include tiny print that warns of dangers and disgusting side effects)

Card Stacking Hot woman, gambling, sex appeal… What’s not to love? Hot woman, gambling, sex appeal… What’s not to love? Oh yeah, the small print that tells us that smoking kills us. (It is stacked at the bottom of the deck, so to speak.) Oh yeah, the small print that tells us that smoking kills us. (It is stacked at the bottom of the deck, so to speak.)

Ticket out the door… Fully define propaganda (including both the formal definition and the more general version). Fully define propaganda (including both the formal definition and the more general version). List and give examples of your two favorite specific propaganda techniques. List and give examples of your two favorite specific propaganda techniques. ANSWER THIS: Is propaganda only used for evil political purposes? ANSWER THIS: Is propaganda only used for evil political purposes?