Propaganda Notes Types & Examples. #1: name calling An argument made without closely examining...

Propaganda NotesTypes & Examples

#1: name calling

An argument made without closely examining the evidence

Giving “bad names” to an opponent

Example: name calling

Politicians slashing other politicians Coke vs. Pepsi

#2: glittering generalities

Using only pleasant words to describe the product or program and not looking at both sides

Saying only “good things” about the product

Example: glittering generalities

“tough on stains” “brand new”

“powerful ingredient”

#3:transfer

Using symbols or images to create a connection between the product and what the propagandist wants viewers to associate with the product

Subliminal messages

Example: transfer

*having an attractive female= only attractive people use product

*American flag=buying product makes you more American

#4: testimonial

Having a person testify that a product really works (giving his or her word)

May sometimes use celebrities to promote an upscale product

Example: testimonial

Reasoning:“If a celebrity uses it, it must

really work”

#5: plain folks

Promotes products for the everyday people

Tries to convey the idea that the people using the product are “just like us” (housewife, parent, etc.)

Example: plain folks

Reasoning: “Use a normal person to make the product seem useable”

#6: card stacking

Gives only the partial truth (puts on a poker face)

Over-emphasizes or under-emphasizes certain qualities of the product

Example: card stacking

Some ads avoid:-Listing side

effects-Listing other

methods used to get the result

-Listing unexpected payments

#7: band wagon

Used to make people feel like part of the crowd

To accept product because everyone else is doing it

Example: bandwagon

Common phrases: “Don’t be left out” “Haven’t you heard..” “The sensation that’s

sweeping the nation” “Everyone’s talking

about…”

Logical Fallacies

An argument that sounds logical, but, in reality, the premises given for the conclusion do not provide proper support for the argument.

An example: birds fly in the sky; airplanes fly in the sky; therefore, airplanes are birds.

Often used by those who seek to convince or misinform – including hate-mongers.

Example: Logical Fallacies

Studies have conclusively proven that 83 percent of people who have died in automobile accidents last year ate ice cream within a month of their accidents. (This figure strongly suggests that eating ice cream causes automobile accidents.)

Appeal to Fear Scare Tactics

Fear can lead people to do things they would never otherwise consider.

Few people believe that war is a good thing, for example, but most people can be convinced to support a specific war if they believe that they are fighting an enemy who is cruel, inhuman, and bent on destroying all that they hold dear.

Example: Fear

Politicians use it when they talk about crime and claim to be advocates for law and order. Environmentalists use it when they talk about pollution-related cancer, and their opponents use fear when they claim that effective environmental regulations will destroy the economy and eliminate jobs.