PROPAGANDA PROPAGANDA TECHNIQUESTECHNIQUES

What is What is propaganda?propaganda?

The ideas The ideas spread by any spread by any organized organized group for the group for the purpose of purpose of influencing influencing human human behavior.behavior.

How does propaganda How does propaganda reach you?reach you?

NewspaperNewspaperss

MagazinesMagazinesRadio Radio

TelevisionTelevisionInternetInternet

Propaganda Propaganda appeals toappeals to

An array of An array of

Human MotivesHuman Motives

The desire to succeed The desire to succeed in our ambition or in our ambition or careercareerThe wish to be The wish to be popular, have friends, popular, have friends, be “in”be “in”The urge to marry, to The urge to marry, to be accepted by the be accepted by the opposite sex or person opposite sex or person we romantically desirewe romantically desire

The need to earn a living, The need to earn a living, have money to spendhave money to spend

The craving to possess The craving to possess finer thingsfiner things

The desire for security The desire for security

in old agein old age

The eagerness to be The eagerness to be

healthy and attractivehealthy and attractive

The desire to move in The desire to move in respectable circlesrespectable circles

The hunger for foodThe hunger for food

How to judge How to judge whether a whether a

statement is true statement is true or false.or false.

Is the writer or speaker a Is the writer or speaker a recognized authority in the recognized authority in the particular field?particular field?

Can the statement be Can the statement be presented as a personal point presented as a personal point of view or as the considered of view or as the considered opinion of a group?opinion of a group?

Are there a sufficient number Are there a sufficient number of cases of sufficient evidence of cases of sufficient evidence to justify the conclusion drawn?to justify the conclusion drawn?

Has the truth been somewhat Has the truth been somewhat slanted or deliberately slanted or deliberately distorted by means of distorted by means of evasions, half-truths, or evasions, half-truths, or omissions?omissions?

Does the statement depend on Does the statement depend on reason or solely on emotion to reason or solely on emotion to appeal to reader or listener?appeal to reader or listener?

Is the source of the statement Is the source of the statement a reliable corporation or a reliable corporation or individual?individual?

Types of Types of PropagandaPropaganda

It suggests an imagery It suggests an imagery vehicle carrying leaders of a vehicle carrying leaders of a cause or a candidate who cause or a candidate who has a large following.has a large following.

It uses such phrases as:It uses such phrases as:““Everybody’s doing it!”Everybody’s doing it!”““Join the crowd.”Join the crowd.”““This is the latest and best for you.”This is the latest and best for you.”

BandwagonBandwagon

BIG LIEBIG LIE

An outrageous falsehood An outrageous falsehood captures our attention and captures our attention and somehow staggers some somehow staggers some people into believing it.people into believing it.A master at propaganda for A master at propaganda for

evil, Adolf Hitler, said, “The evil, Adolf Hitler, said, “The bigger the lie, the sooner bigger the lie, the sooner

people swallow it.”people swallow it.”

Glittering Glittering GeneralizatioGeneralizatio

nn• A statement that jumps from a A statement that jumps from a few cases to a conclusion that is few cases to a conclusion that is supposed to fit all cases.supposed to fit all cases.

• It is called “glittering” because it It is called “glittering” because it is falsely attractive.is falsely attractive.

• Using empty words without much Using empty words without much substance such as “best”, “new”, substance such as “best”, “new”, “#1” or to describe the benefits “#1” or to describe the benefits or uses of somethingor uses of something

This is a way of smearing an This is a way of smearing an opponent. Calling him names opponent. Calling him names can damage his reputation or can damage his reputation or arouse suspicions about his arouse suspicions about his character.character.

Claiming that the Claiming that the

competition is inferior in some waycompetition is inferior in some way

Name Name CallingCalling

Plain FolksPlain FolksThis is the corny kind of appeal to the This is the corny kind of appeal to the man in the street made by identifying man in the street made by identifying either a person or a product with his either a person or a product with his particular locality or country.particular locality or country.

Appealing to the average, blue Appealing to the average, blue collar, hard working consumers. collar, hard working consumers. ““I’m one of you folks, born and raised I’m one of you folks, born and raised

in these mountains and I can still in these mountains and I can still shuck corn with the best of you.”shuck corn with the best of you.”

Snob AppealSnob Appeal• The opposite of plain folks The opposite of plain folks

• Aims to flatter those who would Aims to flatter those who would like to satisfy their ego by like to satisfy their ego by

assuming that they are better assuming that they are better than the rest of mankind in looks, than the rest of mankind in looks,

wealth, taste, position, etc.wealth, taste, position, etc.• Appealing to upscale dreams or Appealing to upscale dreams or ASPIRATIONS; not necessarily an ASPIRATIONS; not necessarily an expensive product, but appealing expensive product, but appealing to the rich OR those who want to to the rich OR those who want to

be seen that waybe seen that way

APPEAL TO APPEAL TO INDIVIDUALITYINDIVIDUALITY

Celebrating a unique style; Celebrating a unique style; rebelling against the normrebelling against the norm

Opposite of bandwagon Opposite of bandwagon

Be different!!!Be different!!!

Hasty Hasty Generalization Generalization When a claim states or implies that things When a claim states or implies that things are all one way are all one way

EXAMPLES:EXAMPLES:

Women are bad drivers. Women are bad drivers.

Oklahomans are Republicans.Oklahomans are Republicans.

Gay people are Democrats.Gay people are Democrats.

Gun owners refuse to Gun owners refuse to

consider new laws that would consider new laws that would

make our streets safer. make our streets safer.

ScapegoatScapegoatA scapegoat is a person A scapegoat is a person carrying the blame for carrying the blame for others.others.

Sometimes a failing Sometimes a failing student blames the student blames the

school or a teacher.school or a teacher.

““Slogan”Slogan”A slogan is a catchword or A slogan is a catchword or phrase loaded with emotion.phrase loaded with emotion.

A type of oversimplification.A type of oversimplification.

Often tells you little about the Often tells you little about the product itselfproduct itself

Slogans are usually cleverSlogans are usually clever

and easy to remember.and easy to remember.

A statement endorsing a product or A statement endorsing a product or an idea when signed by a an idea when signed by a prominent person prominent person

A popular favorite carries undue A popular favorite carries undue weight when it is used to sponsor weight when it is used to sponsor something outside his particular something outside his particular field.field.

““If the famous person uses it, it must be If the famous person uses it, it must be good!”good!”

TestimonialTestimonial

This device transfers the good impression This device transfers the good impression we have of something we already know we have of something we already know to something else that we don’t know.to something else that we don’t know.

By associating the two we merge our By associating the two we merge our personal reactions without examining the personal reactions without examining the unknown person or thing by itself.unknown person or thing by itself.

““Product A tastes home baked, and we know Product A tastes home baked, and we know things that are home baked are supposed to things that are home baked are supposed to taste better than store bought, so we will like taste better than store bought, so we will like Product A too!”Product A too!”

TransferTransfer

Guilt by AssociationGuilt by AssociationSome charities have been fraudulent. Some charities have been fraudulent. Therefore, charities must be frauds. Therefore, charities must be frauds.

Adolf Hitler was a vegetarian. Adolf Hitler was a vegetarian. Vegetarianism must be evil. Vegetarianism must be evil.

Osama bin Laden was opposed to the Osama bin Laden was opposed to the invasion of Iraq. Anyone invasion of Iraq. Anyone

opposed to the invasion of opposed to the invasion of

Iraq must be a terrorist. Iraq must be a terrorist.

BEGGING THE ???BEGGING THE ???Assumes something is true when it is Assumes something is true when it is in need of proof… when the claim is in need of proof… when the claim is included in the evidence so nothing is included in the evidence so nothing is proved proved

–Since I'm not lying, I must be telling Since I'm not lying, I must be telling the truth. the truth.

–Roger Drudge's book on politics is Roger Drudge's book on politics is the best; it says so inside. the best; it says so inside.

RED HERRING RED HERRING SLIP SLIDE… DISTRACTION… SMOKESLIP SLIDE… DISTRACTION… SMOKE

When a rebuttal doesn't address the When a rebuttal doesn't address the

question and/ or draws attention away from question and/ or draws attention away from

the central issue in an argument or discussionthe central issue in an argument or discussion

From the practice of distracting hunting dogs (usually in From the practice of distracting hunting dogs (usually in Fox Hunting) by dragging a smelly, salt-cured Red herring Fox Hunting) by dragging a smelly, salt-cured Red herring across the trail of the animal/fox they were pursuing to across the trail of the animal/fox they were pursuing to throw the hounds off the scent. throw the hounds off the scent.

EXAMPLE: EXAMPLE:

Q:Q: Did the President have an affair? Did the President have an affair?

A:A: "He's very busy at the moment with the Middle East Peace talks, and "He's very busy at the moment with the Middle East Peace talks, and has no time for silly accusations. If this bill isn’t signed within the next has no time for silly accusations. If this bill isn’t signed within the next 12 hours a whole country could lose it’s way of life. Do you want a 12 hours a whole country could lose it’s way of life. Do you want a whole country of men, women, and children to suffer? Do you hate whole country of men, women, and children to suffer? Do you hate foreigners? Do you hate children? foreigners? Do you hate children?

Straw ManStraw ManAttacking an opponent's weaker argument rather Attacking an opponent's weaker argument rather than his strongest OR ignoring a person's actual than his strongest OR ignoring a person's actual position and substituting a distorted, exaggerated position and substituting a distorted, exaggerated or misrepresented version instead.or misrepresented version instead.

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE:Many who are for abortion like its Many who are for abortion like its

convenience. But this is a human life convenience. But this is a human life

we're talking about, and people need to bewe're talking about, and people need to be

concerned with more than convenience.concerned with more than convenience.

"Senator Jones says that we should not fund the attack "Senator Jones says that we should not fund the attack submarine program. I disagree entirely. I can't understand submarine program. I disagree entirely. I can't understand why he wants to leave us defenseless like that." why he wants to leave us defenseless like that."

Card StackingCard StackingA one-sided case presents only evidence favoring its conclusion, and A one-sided case presents only evidence favoring its conclusion, and ignores or downplays the evidence against it. In inductive reasoning, it is ignores or downplays the evidence against it. In inductive reasoning, it is important to consider important to consider allall of the available evidence before coming to a of the available evidence before coming to a conclusion. conclusion. ExampleExample: : 1.1. You have observed several white swans; then you might conclude: You have observed several white swans; then you might conclude: 2.2. All swans are white. All swans are white.

Example:Example:You've spoke about having seen the children's prisons in Iraq. Can You've spoke about having seen the children's prisons in Iraq. Can you describe what you saw there?you describe what you saw there? The prison in question is at the The prison in question is at the General Security Services headquarters, which was inspected by my General Security Services headquarters, which was inspected by my team in Jan. 1998. It appeared to be a prison for children—toddlers up team in Jan. 1998. It appeared to be a prison for children—toddlers up to pre-adolescents—whose only crime was to be the offspring of those to pre-adolescents—whose only crime was to be the offspring of those who have spoken out politically against the regime of Saddam Hussein. who have spoken out politically against the regime of Saddam Hussein. It was a horrific scene. Actually I'm not going to describe what I saw It was a horrific scene. Actually I'm not going to describe what I saw there because what I saw was so horrible that it can be used by those there because what I saw was so horrible that it can be used by those who would want to promote war with Iraq, and right now I'm waging who would want to promote war with Iraq, and right now I'm waging peace.peace.Source:Source: Massimo Calabresi, Massimo Calabresi, "Scott Ritter in His Own Words", , TimeTime, , 9/14/2002 9/14/2002

LOGICALLOGICAL

FALLACIESFALLACIES

Faulty DilemmaFaulty DilemmaWhen only two options are given when When only two options are given when many choices exist many choices exist

COLLEGECOLLEGE SONICSONIC

Either you're for the Republican plan, or Either you're for the Republican plan, or you're socialist and un-American. you're socialist and un-American.

EquivocationEquivocation Using the same word with two different Using the same word with two different meanings meanings

EXAMPLES:EXAMPLES:1.1. A feather is A feather is light.light.

2.2. What is What is lightlight cannot be dark. cannot be dark.

3.3. Therefore, a feather cannot be dark. Therefore, a feather cannot be dark.

The sign said "The sign said "FineFine for Parking Here," so since it for Parking Here," so since it was was finefine, I parked there. , I parked there.

LiberalLiberal politicians favor a politicians favor a liberalliberal lifestyle of free lifestyle of free love and drugs. love and drugs.

Non sequiturNon sequitur Latin for “it does not follow”Latin for “it does not follow”

The conclusion does not follow The conclusion does not follow

from the argumentfrom the argument

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE:

““If my hair looks nice, all people will love me."If my hair looks nice, all people will love me."

However, there is no real connection between However, there is no real connection between your hair and the love of all people. your hair and the love of all people.

AdvertisingAdvertising typically applies this kind of typically applies this kind of 'deduction'.'deduction'.

Ad Hominem Ad Hominem Latin for “argument against the person”Latin for “argument against the person”

An attempt to negate the truth of a claim by An attempt to negate the truth of a claim by pointing out a negative characteristic or belief of pointing out a negative characteristic or belief of the person supporting it.the person supporting it.

EXAMPLESEXAMPLES1. 1. Einstein claims relativity is correct.Einstein claims relativity is correct. 2. 2. Einstein is JewishEinstein is Jewish

3. 3. Hence relativity is false.Hence relativity is false.

Bill: Bill: "I believe that abortion is morally wrong." "I believe that abortion is morally wrong."

Dave: Dave: "Of course you would say that, you're a priest." "Of course you would say that, you're a priest."

Bill: Bill: "What about the arguments I gave to support my position?" "What about the arguments I gave to support my position?"

Dave: Dave: "Those don't count. Like I said, you're a priest, so you have to say that "Those don't count. Like I said, you're a priest, so you have to say that abortion is wrong. Further, you are just a lackey to the Pope, so I can't abortion is wrong. Further, you are just a lackey to the Pope, so I can't believe what you say." believe what you say."

THE THE POST-POST-HOCHOC

PENGUINPENGUIN

Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc Latin for “after this, because of that”Latin for “after this, because of that”

Often shortened to Often shortened to POST HOC POST HOC

If one event happens after another, then the first If one event happens after another, then the first must be the cause of the second.must be the cause of the second.

EXAMPLES:EXAMPLES:1.1. A rooster always crows prior to sunriseA rooster always crows prior to sunrise

2.2. Therefore: the rooster’s crowing causes the sun to rise.Therefore: the rooster’s crowing causes the sun to rise.

1. Ice cream sales elevate greatly each June.1. Ice cream sales elevate greatly each June.

2. The number of common colds lower greatly each June.2. The number of common colds lower greatly each June.

3. Therefore: higher ice cream consumption cures the 3. Therefore: higher ice cream consumption cures the common cold.common cold.

EuphemismEuphemism

Making something sound better than it is. Using a Making something sound better than it is. Using a synonym that is a better sounding term than the synonym that is a better sounding term than the reality.reality.

Ex. A police officer was asked why he left the police Ex. A police officer was asked why he left the police force. His response was, “The chief and I had a force. His response was, “The chief and I had a difference of opinion.” In actuality, the officer was difference of opinion.” In actuality, the officer was fired.fired.

Ex. Gasoline prices are expected to be adjusted to Ex. Gasoline prices are expected to be adjusted to match our economic status. In other words, gas match our economic status. In other words, gas prices are going up dramatically as the economy is prices are going up dramatically as the economy is going down.going down.

IN TOTAL…22 Types of IN TOTAL…22 Types of PropagandaPropaganda

1.1. BandwagonBandwagon

2.2. Big LieBig Lie

3.3. Glittering Glittering GeneralizationGeneralization

4.4. Name CallingName Calling

5.5. Plain FolksPlain Folks

6.6. Snob AppealSnob Appeal

7.7. Individual AppealIndividual Appeal

8.8. Hasty GeneralizationHasty Generalization

9.9. ScapegoatScapegoat

10.10. SloganSlogan

11.11. TestimonialTestimonial

12.12. TransferTransfer

13.13. Guilt by AssociationGuilt by Association

14.14. Begging the QuestionBegging the Question

15.15. Red Herring Red Herring

16.16. Straw ManStraw Man

17.17. Card StackingCard Stacking

18.18. Faulty DilemmaFaulty Dilemma

19.19. EquivocationEquivocation

20.20. Non-SequiturNon-Sequitur

21.21. Ad HominemAd Hominem

22.22. Post-HocPost-Hoc

23.23. EuphemismEuphemism