Mr. Kalahar

Propaganda

 

Propaganda Techniques

 

 

1. Name Calling/Stereotypes: showing generalizations of certain people and groups through advertising.  Name calling usually refers to written works in journalism or magazines.

 

2. Confident Manners: self assured way of speaking or acting to persuade instead of facts or reasoning.  Makes the buyer feel safe and secure.

 

3. Stacking the Deck: only showing one side of an issue or argument. Listing many facts for one side of the issue.

 

4. Love Sell: this advertisement appeals to the natural desire to be loved.  If you by this product you will soon find love.

 

5. Gadget: because of this product your life will be simpler and easier.

 

6. Fear:  Makes the consumer want the product because of the fear of what will happen without the product.

 

7. Euphemisms: a mild or pleasant expression substituted for a harsh or disagreeable one.

 

8. Status Appeal: this technique promises prestige and status by the advertiser’s definition if you choose their product, candidate, or idea.

 

9. Glittering Generalities: a generality is a word with such a broad definition that it is impossible for people to agree on what it means.  Glittering Generalities are abstract words that most people have an immediate and positive reaction to, but cannot specifically define to the satisfaction of all.

 

10. Testimonial: a specific person, usually someone identifiable by name either written or by sight, recommends a product, an idea, or a candidate and you are encouraged to take their word for it.  The testimonial is either implied or direct.  Direct testimonial the person is shown using the product or speaking on past experience, while the implied testimonial only shows the celebrity and the product on the same page.

 

11. Jargon: a technical language used to impress, influence, or confuse the audience.

 

12. Bandwagon: “everybody’s doing it  A technique used to make the audience not want to miss out on what everyone else is supposedly doing.  The Bandwagon is where the largest number of people are - it’s the idea they hold, the candidate they vote for, or the product they buy.

 

13. Outright Lie: when a product or candidate blatantly lie to their audience.  The lie is meant to be known by all in the case of the product advertiser, but the politician hopes the truth does not come out. It usually does though.

 

14. Plain Folks: this technique is used by advertisers to make famous people, politicians, and wealthy people look like they are just “plain folks” like you and I.

 

15. Transfer: the goodness, desirability, or special quality of a product will rub off on the consumer or audience with the product.

 

16. Repetition: an advertiser uses names, phrases, words, products, or ideas in repetition to establish product identification.

 

17. Slogan: a short, meaningful, catchy phrase intended for general consumption. Designed to stop thought and encourage action in favor of the slogan-makers.

 

18. Quoting out of Context:  by selecting only a portion of a person’s statement, the product sounds appealing.  Propagandists can support almost any argument this way, no matter what the person’s real views are.

 

19. Connotation: the use of emotionally loaded words to sell an idea or product.

 

20. Subliminal Messages: an idea or technique used in many propaganda techniques that is below the threshold of conscious perception.  People are not aware of what the advertisers are aiming toward the consumers.

 

21. Statistics/Misuse of Statistics: when the propagandists use figures for his/her own advantage/purpose to mislead, impress, or confuse, he/she is guilty of the technique “misuse of statistics”. 

 

22. Appeals:  Advertisers appeal to different emotional characteristics of people to sell an idea or product.

          a) Prejudice: using personal prejudice to influence your attitude toward a product or politician.

 

          b) Pity Appeal: the pity appeal arouses our sympathy as the propagandists tries to obtain our money.

 

          c) Thrift Appeal: in the “bargain appeal” the propagandists works on your desire to save money.  Offering discounts, free gifts, prizes, and sales are their way of grabbing you. Some are legitimate, but most are come-ons to get you to buy.

 

          d) Ego Appeal: using flattery to win over the consumer to the advertiser’s product or program. “You look marvelous in Sketchers.”

 

          e) Humor Appeal: appeals to the consumer’s sense of humor.

 

          f) Taste Appeal: a technique used to appeal to one’s appetite and love of delicious food and delicacies.

 

          g) Sex Appeal: a technique used by advertisers to appeal to the physical attractiveness of the male and female body.