Propaganda

Propaganda is the use of words, arguments and exaggerated details to sell things or ideas. It represents only one point
of view. It is a form of communication aimed at influencing your attitude towards different communities, locally or
internationally.

Propaganda currently is viewed as something negative, but this wasnt the case when the term was first created. It was
first used by the Catholic Church in their attempt to spread the Catholic faith to all non-Catholics, not simply non-
Christians.

The idea of propaganda has existed for multiple millennia. It is mostly through the use of this type of persuasive
argument by the Nazis in WWII that the negative stigma was attached to it. Unfortunately, this attachment seems to
be rather permanent. However, every idea that has been hyped up, every fashion trend that has existed throughout
history and every empire that has risen or fallen has been based on propaganda.

In reality, it is the organized attempt to change a persons ideologies, thoughts and beliefs concerning certain topics in
the world. It is, in essence, a biased approach that they try to hoist on you. It appeals to emotions and not the intellect
of the person. It is not based on logic, but oftentimes is based on fear. It can also be based on patriotism. It makes you
feel like you are a better person for following the advice it gives. It can influence a community to do as much good as
to be cruel. Propaganda is the single most powerful tool of manipulation.



Propaganda Techniques



Bandwagon: persuading people to do something by letting them know others are doing it
Testimonial: using the words of a famous person to persuade you
Transfer: using the names or pictures of famous people, but not direct quotations
Repetition: the product name is repeated at least four times
Emotional words: words that will make you feel strongly about someone or something
Beautiful people: Using good looking people to make people think that they too will be
successful or beautiful if they buy it
Common Man: attempts to convince the audience that the propagandist's positions reflect
the common sense of the people.
Direct Order: This technique hopes to simplify the decision making process by using images
and words to tell the audience exactly what actions to take, eliminating any other possible
choices
Glittering Generalities: emotionally appealing words applied to a product or idea, but
which present no concrete argument or analysis.
Name Calling: incite fears and arouse prejudices in the people through insulting the
other and convincing everyone that the negative comments are in fact truth.
Stereotyping: attempts to arouse prejudices in an audience by labelling the object of the
propaganda campaign as something the target audience fears, hates, loathes, or finds
undesirable
Facts and figures: use of percentages, facts and numbers to appeal to and convince the
general public
Unfinished Comparisons: making comparisons between products or people without
showing other side
Card Stacking: Only including positive information while leaving out the negative
Caricature: Use of cartoon characters to appeal to the masses, especially children

Name: ____________________

Propaganda Quiz

1.) When you lean towards one side of an argument more than another, it is said that you have a:
a. Bias
b. Bandwagon
c. Repetition
d. Testimonial

2.) Using words, phrases and pictures over and over again is an example of which type of technique?
a. Repetition
b. Plain folks
c. Bias
d. Bandwagon

3.) An ordinary person appears in jeans and a faded t-shirt in an ad for a car and says there is no better brand
than the one he drives. This is an example of which of the following persuasive techniques?
a. Testimonial
b. Glittering generalities
c. Testimonial
d. Plain folks

4.) A famous movie star appears in a commercial and is taking about how great a product is. This is an example
of which type of technique?
a. Plain folks
b. Bandwagon
c. Testimonial
d. Fact/opinion

5.) "No one loves you like your mom, so send her flowers for Mother's Day," is an example of:
a. Bandwagon
b. Repetition
c. Emotional appeal
d. Testimonial

6.) "Get a Wonderland season pass. Everyone else has one!" This is an example of:
a. Bandwagon
b. Testimonial
c. Emotional appeal
d. Glittering generalities

7.) If a person doesn't like rich students because they are snobby, he or she is said to be:
a. Repeating
b. On the bandwagon
c. Transferring
d. Stereotyping

8.) Michael Jordan wears Nike shoes and so should you!
a. Transfer
b. Unfinished comparisons
c. Snob appeal
d. Testimonial
Propaganda Quiz Answers

1.) When you lean towards one side of an argument more than another, it is said that you have a:
a. Bias
b. Bandwagon
c. Repetition
d. Testimonial

2.) Using words, phrases and pictures over and over again is an example of which type of technique?
a. Repetition
b. Plain folks
c. Bias
d. Bandwagon

3.) An ordinary person appears in jeans and a faded t-shirt in an ad for a car and says there is no better brand
than the one he drives. This is an example of which of the following persuasive techniques?
a. Testimonial
b. Glittering generalities
c. Testimonial
d. Plain folks

4.) A famous movie star appears in a commercial and is taking about how great a product is. This is an example
of which type of technique?
a. Plain folks
b. Bandwagon
c. Testimonial
d. Fact/opinion

5.) "No one loves you like your mom, so send her flowers for Mother's Day," is an example of:
a. Bandwagon
b. Repetition
c. Emotional appeal
d. Testimonial

6.) "Get a Wonderland season pass. Everyone else has one!" This is an example of:
a. Bandwagon
b. Testimonial
c. Emotional appeal
d. Glittering generalities

7.) If a person doesn't like rich students because they are snobby, he or she is said to be:
a. Repeating
b. On the bandwagon
c. Transferring
d. Stereotyping

8.) Michael Jordan wears Nike shoes and so should you!
a. Transfer
b. Unfinished comparisons
c. Snob appeal
d. Testimonial