What is Propaganda? 1. It is the spreading of ideas, information or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause or a person. 2. Propaganda is intended to make us accept or approve something without looking closely at the evidence. 3. Most of the propaganda devices utilize emotion and avoid critical thinking.

Why study Propaganda? Your deeper understanding of propaganda devices can: 1. Save you lots of money. 2. Assist you in making better political decisions. 3. Help you distinguish between fact and opinion. 4. Aid you in persuading others.

Recognizing Propaganda Techniques Bandwagon Testimonial Plain Folks Card Staking Glittering Generalization Transfer Name-Calling Fear Logical Fallacy

Bandwagon Persuasive technique that invites you to join the crowd. Everybody’s doing it! Often uses weasel words (evades the truth, deflects) Everyone in Port Huron is supporting Bob Riley. Shouldn’t you be part of the winning team? As a propaganda technique, the term bandwagon suggests an imaginary vechicle carrying leaders or candidates of a cause or carrying large banners and/or posters. This group has a huge group of people following behind and all are in support of that leader/candidate. A bandwagon is a high, ornate wagon in which a band rides as in a circus parade. Unfortunately, most of us like to swim with the sharks rather than stand alone, so we are likely to be carried along. Beware of this technique. It’s a lot easier to be joiner than to stand alone. Bandwagon is a propaganda technique that suggests an image of a vechicle carrying a leader/candidate

Testimonial Statement endorsing an idea/product by a prominent person. Product does not have to be related to “star’s” field. Commonly uses musical artists, sports giants, actors/actresses A company hires a famous celebrity figure to promote a particular product or topic. This is particularly powerful If a product 8s

Plain Folks Identifies product/idea with a locality or country Practical product for ordinary people. I am just like you, so vote for me Like a good neighbor…

Glittering Generalization Connotation implied to create “positive” impact. Statement jumps from a few cases to all. “Glittering” because it’s falsely attractive Often used by politicians Uses a “positive” connotation to encourage audiences to accept the product or person without examining the evidence. Have it your way! This slogan implies “choice” which is a founding principle of democracy.

Transfer Positive feelings/desires are connected to a product/user. * Transfers positive feelings we have of something we know to something we don’t. * This technique relies heavily on symbolism.(American flag, cross…) During the Kerry vs. Bush campaign an e-mail through the internet showed similar physical characteristics between John Kerry and Frankenstein.

Name - Calling A way of smearing an opponent Intent is to damage opponent It also arouses suspicion of opponent Intention is to create a seed of doubt Used by politicians and product companies In a campaign speech to a logging company, the Congressman referred to his environmentally conscious opponent as a "tree hugger."

Card-Stacking shows the product’s best features tells half-truths Omits or lies about its potential problems. Drug manufacturers do this frequently in ads in which they skim over the possible harmful side effects of their products.

Fear build support by instilling anxieties and panic in the general population states that a particular course of action must be followed or disastrous consequences will result

Logical Fallacy based upon a series of logical leaps obscure the truth goes around and around faulty causal relationship don’t follow a logical sequence