Propaganda (n): “ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one’s cause or to damage an opposing cause” Fallacy (n): “invalid argument that contains an error in logic.” Propaganda & Fallacies

Techniques “Red herring” Post Hoc Testimonial Bandwagon Name calling (ad hominem argument) Appeal to statistics Straw Man Sweeping generalization False Authority

The “Red Herring” An intentionally misleading clue Anything that distracts attention from the real issue (Derived from “the practice of drawing a red herring across a trail to confuse hunting dogs”) “You may think that he cheated on the test, but look at the poor little thing! How would he feel if you made him sit it again?”

Post Hoc assume a faulty causal relationship. One event following another in time does not mean that the first event caused the later event. Writers must be able to prove that one event caused another event and did not simply follow in time. Example: "Eating five candy bars and drinking two sodas before a test helps me get better grades. I did that and got an A on my last test in history." This arguer ignores other possible causes like how much he had studied and how easy the test was.

Testimonial A statement made in general support of a person From “testimony” The fact that you have good and true things to say about someone does not change the fact that he or she may be involved in an activity that is inappropriate, illegal, or downright nefarious!

Bandwagon Back in the day, parades used to have wagons carrying small bands. An eager partier, wanting to be close to the music and the action, might jump on the wagon and roll along with the band. As a propaganda technique, the bandwagon strategy is the attempt to suggest that, simply because an idea that has heavy support by others, it must automatically be good: “Let’s all jump on the bandwagon!” "Fifty million Elvis fans can’t be wrong!" Of course they can.

Name Calling The technical term is ad hominem argument. Rather than attempt to refute a person’s position or his logic, we can revert to calling him names. “I’ll never support that wife-beater!”

Appeal to statistics Numbers seem authoritative, and they can make statistics seem very convincing. However, the careful reader makes sure that statistics actually support the idea or argument for which they are advanced. “96% of women who tried this cream saw fewer wrinkles in less than 5 days” Well, how many people did you study?

Straw Man an opponent takes the original argument of his/her adversary and then offers a close imitation, or straw man, version of the original argument Proceeds to "knocks down" the straw man version of the argument (because the straw man, as its name implies, is a much easier target to hit) Example: A: Abortion is wrong because it is the murder of human life. A child in the womb has as much right to live as any child outside the womb. A fetus has most all of his human features intact before birth, and even kicks his mother. B: The fact that a fetus kicks gives no sign that it is human. A cow kicks - does that mean it is human, and we shouldn't eat beef? Abortion is OK because a fetus is not yet human.

Sweeping Generalization A valid generalization is a statement of a concept or principle that is well supported by multiple pieces of evidence. A sweeping generalization is a statement of a concept or principle that is based only on either a single piece of evidence or very limited evidence. Example: Advertisers will sometimes give an incomplete comparison like “better tasting.” Better tasting than what? Spam? Dirt?

False Authority An advertising tactic An authority in one field may know nothing of another field. Being knowledgeable in one area doesn’t constitute knowledge in other areas. Example: A popular sports star may know a lot about football, but very little about shaving cream. His expertise on the playing field does not qualify him to intelligently discuss the benefits of aloe.

The goal of propaganda Typically, propagandists want to win the “battle for public opinion.” They don’t care whether they’re being entirely honest or accurate. That’s why, when reading material that is intended to persuade, the alert and careful reader is on the lookout for propaganda. Don’t let yourself be fooled.

Examples war war

Groups Select two types of propaganda or fallacies Create your own advertisement (commercial, political campaign, etc.) Use both types of propaganda or fallacies that you chose Other groups will identify the propaganda/fallacy

Weasel Words "Helps control dandruff symptoms with regular use." The weasels include "helps control," and possibly even "symptoms" and "regular use." The claim is not "stops dandruff." "Leaves dishes virtually spotless." We have seen so many ad claims that we have learned to tune out weasels. You are supposed to think "spotless," rather than "virtually" spotless. "Only half the price of many color sets." "Many" is the weasel. The claim is supposed to give the impression that the set is inexpensive. "Tests confirm one mouthwash best against mouth odor." "Hot Nestlés cocoa is the very best." Remember the "best" and "better" routine.

Unfinished Claim "Magnavox gives you more." More what? "Anacin: Twice as much of the pain reliever doctors recommend most." This claim fits in a number of categories but it does not say twice as much of what pain reliever. "Supergloss does it with more color, more shine, more sizzle, more!" "You can be sure if it's Westinghouse." Sure of what?