1. Propaganda Techniques
Conspiracy 101:
Propaganda Techniques
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2. What Is Propaganda?
Propaganda is a persuasive message designed to stand for the interests of a group.
Propaganda is not logical. Often propaganda plays on our emotions and uses flawed reasoning.
Propaganda is everywhere, from newspapers and the Internet to your favourite reality TV show.
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3. Propaganda Technique: Assertion
Click on the image above to watch a YouTube video about this technique.
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4. Assertion Example World War 2 anti-Nazi propaganda
PropagandaNaziStabsBible by the U.S. Office for Emergency Management, public domain, Wikimedia Commons, last modified December 9, 2010,
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5. Propaganda Technique: Transfer
Click on the image above to watch a TeacherTube video about this technique.
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6. Transfer Example
The symbols of Japan (bottom left) and Germany (top right) appear on clawed hands grasping at a mother and child. The evilness of these hands is meant to transfer a sense of outrage against these enemy nations.
Keep these hands off by the U.S. Office for Emergency Management, public domain, Wikimedia Commons, last modified November 15, 2012,
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7. Propaganda Technique: Testimonials
Click on the image above to watch a TeacherTube video about this technique.
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8. Click on the image above to watch a YouTube video of this technique.
Testimonial Example
Click on the image above to watch a YouTube video of this technique.
The aim of a testimonial is to make us trust the product because we trust (or like) the celebrity endorsing it.
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9. Propaganda Technique: Glittering Generalities
Click on the image above to watch a TeacherTube video about this technique.
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10. Glittering Generalities Example
Watch this YouTube video:
This ad generalizes happiness. Having a rough day? Pop open a bottle of Coca Cola and good things will happen!
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11. Propaganda Technique: Bandwagon
Click on the image above to watch a TeacherTube video about this technique.
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12. Bandwagon Example
This German poster reads: “All people say yes on April 10!” The poster suggests that since everyone else is voting for Hitler, you should too.
Das Ganze Volk Sagt am Zehntes April Ja! by the German Government, public domain, VADS, accessed August 19, 2013,
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13. Propaganda Technique: Plain Folks
Click on the image above to watch a TeacherTube video about this technique.
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14. Plain Folks Examples Watch these YouTube videos:
The aim of plain folks ads is to make you trust the product because you trust the “average” person (in this case, Jared Fogle, who has since become a celebrity in his own right).
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15. Propaganda Technique: Name Calling
Click on the image above to watch a TeacherTube video about this technique.
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16. Click on the image above to watch a YouTube video of this technique.
Name Calling Example
Click on the image above to watch a YouTube video of this technique.
This attack ad against Justin Trudeau claims he’s “in way over his head” using footage taken out of context. (Trudeau stripped down to his undershirt, as shown in the ad, to raise money for the Canadian Liver Foundation.)
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17. Propaganda Technique: Pinpointing the Enemy (Scapegoating)
Click on the image above to watch a YouTube video about this technique.
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18. Pinpointing the Enemy Example
This Polish poster depicts Leon Trotsky as a blood-soaked Bolshevik during the Polish-Russian war of 1920.
Leon Trotsky by the Polish Government, public domain, Wikimedia Commons, last modified March 26, 2013,
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19. Propaganda Technique: Card Stacking
Click on the image above to watch a TeacherTube video about this technique.
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20. Card Stacking Example Watch this YouTube video:
This video emphasizes leadership and adventure, while omitting to mention the considerable sacrifice required when joining the army.
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21. Propaganda Technique: False Dilemma
No matter the context of this ad, its black and white nature makes you sit up and take notice. It forces you to question your own intelligence.
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22. False Dilemma Example
The message of this World War 2 poster is that if you don’t join a car-sharing club (car pooling) you are supporting Hitler.
Ride with Hitler by Weimer Pursell for the U.S. Government Printing Office for the Office of Price Administration, public domain, Wikimedia Commons, last modified August 13, 2012,
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23. Propaganda Technique: Lesser of Two Evils
Click on the image above to watch a YouTube video about this technique.
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24. Lesser of Two Evils Example
This British poster shows that attacking Japan first is better than being attacked. British aggression is therefore the lesser of two evils (kill or be killed).
Smash Japaneses Aggression! by the United Kingdom Government, public domain, The Unofficial Axis & Allies Megasite, accessed August 20, 2013,
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25. You Be the Critic Step 1: Break up in teams of two.
Step 2: Use what you have learned to pinpoint instances of propaganda in the video mentioned on the next slide. Don’t let this video fool you!
Step 3: Use your critical reasoning and judgment to find at least three examples of propaganda techniques in this video.
Step 4: Share.
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26. Click on the image above to watch the video.
Kony 2012
Click on the image above to watch the video.
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