Propaganda Techniques Appeal to Your Emotions Instead of Logic
OGT Study Guide
Propaganda techniques appeal to your emotions instead of logic
Bandwagon
Suggests that most people feel one way about an issue and urges others to go along with the majority
Loco-Cola. Millions of soda drinkers can’t be wrong.
Transfer
When a writer presents a positive image or idea and attaches those positive feelings to another idea
All across the rich, green fields, the towering purple mountains and the glittering cities, Americans are discovering the pleasure of Smel-Free deodorant.
Testimonial
Another type of transfer, which tells you to base your decision on what someone else thinks, usually someone who is famous
Arnold Schwarzenegger only likes maids from Catchy Cleaners.
Bait and Switch
Transfers reader’s attention from an exciting idea to a less interesting subject
Imagine having more money than you could ever spend. Imagine relaxing in Paris, swimming in the Mediterranean, or shopping in Milan. The first step to achieving this goal is to buy Bernie Madoff’s Guide to Secret Wealth.
Glittering Generalities
Uses words that are patriotic, attractive, or catchy but don’t really say anything
We are at the crossroads of human destiny! We must choose a true leader for our city!
Emotional Words
Doesn’t use facts, but instead attempt to stir the reader’s feelings
If you love your children, vote for the candidate who cares. Vote for Jan VanDann.
Repetition
Using a word or phrase repeatedly until it’s associated with the subject
The senator’s cheapskate tie, cheapskate jacket, and cheapskate shoes should tell you what kind of cheapskate politics he’s practicing.
Name-Calling
Makes accusations but doesn’t give any facts to support the claims
Vote for Jan VanDann if you don’t mind putting a liar into office.
Ad Hominem
Makes a personal criticism without addressing the person’s argument
Senator Bigshot may support increased school funding, but he’s a high-school dropout.
Stereotyping
Uses commonly held but oversimplified or unfair images of a group to make a point that isn’t true.
Jan VanDann may have the young voters of Ohio behind her, but all they care about are video games and rock music.
Snobbery
Tries to make people think they can be better than others by acting or thinking in a certain way
Rise above the rest. Wear Superia cologne.
Ordinary Folks
Tries to associate the message with old time values and down to earth people.
I didn’t go to a big, fancy university like my opponent did. I don’t dress like a movie star; I just wear my bibs while I work on the farm.
Appeal to Science
Suggest that science supports a particular claim, although the claim isn’t backed up with facts.
Clinical studies show that Tappwatta Springs bottled water can prevent dehydration. (Not stated: All water can prevent hydration.)
Scare Tactics
Describes possible negative effects with strong and unsupported images that make people act out of fear instead of reason.
If you don’t use Germ-Away household spray, you may allow your child to fall victim to deadly disease.
Common rhetoric devices:
Alliteration- using words with the same first letters
Bloated, boorish, and brutish
Analogy-comparison of similar ideas, used to explain complex situations by comparing to another one
Boot camp is like one long piano lesson
Anticipating an objection-offering opposing viewpoint in order to show how the author’s argument is superior
My critics think I’m unrealistic, but my facts speak clearly
Antithesis-contrast between two ideas
Taking a class is fun, but teaching it is hard
Cost and Benefit- placing benefit next to a cost or fault in order to make the problem seem less severe
The outfielder was injured, but at least he managed to catch the ball
Example- using an example to illustrate a point
You never know who will grow up to be a supervillian. As a child, D. Darkdeed wanted to be a veterinarian
Hyperbole-a deliberate exaggeration for emphasis and effect
With herculean effort, straining every muscle, Jane answered the phone
Oxymoron-a description that contradicts itself
A bald guy named curly
Parallelism-elements of a sentence that are expressed in the same way to show that they are equal
The people of this city deserve a mayor they can trust, a mayor they can respect, and a mayor they can count on
Quotation-using quotes to sum up an idea
As Mark Twain said, “…”.
Rhetorical Question- question that’s no supposed to be answered, but to make you think
Who among us does not want to fly?
Synecdoche-a part stands for the whole
The suits on Wall Street
Understatement- deliberate expression of an idea as less important than it actually is. Used for ironic effect or to avoid unpleasant conversation.
One passenger described the plane crash as “rather unsettling.”
Summing Up
As you answer questions about facts, opinions, and propaganda, keep in mind the following tips:
- Facts can be checked for accuracy
- Opinions reflect the author’s emotions
- When facts and opinions are mixed, facts can be distorted
- Propaganda techniques appeal to your emotions instead of logic
- Beware of faulty logic
- Recognize the author’s argument
- Identify rhetorical devices used in persuasive writing
- Identify appeals to reason, emotion, and authority