Propaganda techniques

Why do we use propaganda? To persuade people to think or behave a certain way. To appeal to emotions and opinions of people

Bandwagon To do something because other people are doing it. Example: Because the Raven’s won the Superbowl, everyone thinks Joe Flacco is the greatest quarterback.

Example of Social Media Bandwagon

Fear Technique If you don’t conform to an issue or agree with a statement, something bad will happen to you. Example: If you drink diet soda, you will get cancer.

Fear propaganda

Glittering Generalities Using emotionally appealing words associated with values or beliefs. Uses words that appeal to consumer like “Fresh”, “American Pride”, and “New” Example: “Pure, fresh, mountain spring water. Bottled especially for you in Utah from only our purest mountain springs.”

Glittering Generality

Name Calling Calling out other people, brands, or products in a negative manner Example: Calling members of the other political party names like “incompetent” or “dumb”.

Name Calling Technique

Plain Folk Technique Appealing to the common man, woman, or family.

Plain Folk Technique

Reward Technique If you use a certain product or act a certain way, good things will happen to you Example: If you take diet pills, you will look like the models on TV.

Reward Technique

Testimonial Technique Using a famous person to endorse a product Example: Jennifer Hudson endorses Weight Watchers

Testimonial Technique

Transfer Technique Using words or symbols to portray someone in a positive o negative manner

Transfer Technique

Red Herring Technique Presenting data or issues that, while compelling, are irrelevant to the argument at hand, and then claiming that it validates the argument.

Red Herring Example I shouldn’t be punished for staying out past my curfew tonight because I did the dishes earlier today. these two arguments have NOTHING to do with one another.