AS RELATED TO ANIMAL FARM AND HISTORY. Propaganda Techniques

Propaganda Information that is spread for the purpose of promoting some cause or idea Advertisements and commercials are one type of propaganda. On average, people are exposed to over 3,000 advertisements a day.

Tactic # 1- Propaganda Who used propaganda in Russia? (hint he was the leader…)

How did he use propaganda? Posters Propaganda department Education Signs Songs (jingles) Propaganda is a tactic!

There are several commonly used positive propaganda techniques: 1. Glittering Generalities 2. Slanting Material 3. Appeal to Authority 4. Appeal to Tradition 5. Appeal to Large Numbers 6. Appeal to Popular Passions

There are also several commonly used negative propaganda techniques: 1. Name calling 2. Personal attack 3. Creating misgivings 4. Colored words 5. Charged words 6. Repetition

Glittering Generalities Making a general, positive statement that seems to good to be true. For example: “The most wonderful…” “Our nation’s finest….” “Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”

Slanting Material When using this technique, one will emphasize material which supports your point and leave out material that harms it. For example:  “This car has low mileage and is an amazing buy!”  “The hamburger is high in protein.” (What about the saturated fat?”

Appeal to Authority Referring to a trusted person, group, or institution in order to influence For example: “Doctors prefer…” “A leading expert says…” “Abraham Lincoln always said…”

Appeal to Tradition Referring to the past in order to gain support for a product or a cause For example: “Tried and true” “Just like grandma used to make…” “Our firm has been in business for over 100 years.”

Appeal to Large Numbers (also known as bandwagon): Indicating that many customers have been satisfied by a certain product For example:  “50,000 people can’t be wrong”  “But everyone is wearing pink and yellow!”

Appeal to Popular Passions Using a common desire in order to influence someone For example: “In the spirit of the American Revolution…” “Seek Freedom!” “If you believe in giving everyone an equal opportunity…”

Name-Calling Calling anyone who does not agree with a certain product or belief a negative name For example:  “Traitor!”  “Babbling fool!”

Personal attack Attacking an opponent with negative words For example: “What do you expect from a draft-dodger?” “What can you expect from a proven liar?”

Creating Misgivings (Misinformation) Lying about someone or something and spreading those lies in order to get one’s way Distortion of the truth For example: “Just imagine what awful things might happen if…” “I hear he may be secretly working for the other side.”

Colored Words Phrasing information in a negative way For example: If a person is stubborn, is he “firm” or “pig- headed”? Is a car an “elegant sedan” or a “gas-eating monster”?