Propaganda

Propaganda

The planned use of mass-produced communication designed to influence the minds and emotions of a group for specific purposes such as military, political, or economic.

Assertion

An enthusiastic or energetic statement presented as a fact that may not be true; commonly used in modern advertising as a form of propaganda.

Bandwagon

An appeal that suggests one should join in because others are doing so; the notion of fitting in and going with the flow.

Card stacking

A propaganda technique that presents only positive information about a topic while omitting negatives.

Glittering generalities

Words with different positive meanings linked to high-value subjects; often used in politics.

Lesser of two evils

A tactic that proposes one option as the least offensive, justifying decisions of sacrifice.

Name calling

The use of derogatory terms to label an opponent, commonly seen in politics and wartime.

Pinpointing the enemy

A propaganda technique that presents only one individual as the enemy, often used in wartimes and elections.

Plain folks

The strategy of convincing the audience that certain actions benefit the common person.

Simplification or stereotyping

The reduction of complex situations to a binary of good and evil, often to influence undereducated audiences.

Testimonials

The use of famous individuals or quotations to endorse a product or idea, utilized in advertising and politics.

Transfer

The technique of linking one topic to another to create a perceived connection.

Steps to analyze propaganda

1. Purpose of the poster; 2. Context; 3. Producer; 4. Origin; 5. Target audience; 6. Techniques used; 7. Maximization of techniques.