Propaganda and Persuasive Techniques

Propaganda and Persuasive Techniques

By STACY WOLFE

Propaganda

​Information aimed at persuading or influencing the opinions or behaviors of large groups of people

Open Ended

What effect does the testimonial have on you, the viewer?

Attempts to persuade the reader by showing how many people think that something is true

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Appeal to facts, numbers, and statistics

Open Ended

What is one fact, number, or statistic used in this commerical, and how does it affect you, the viewer?

-An attack on a person instead of an issue

Name Calling

Open Ended

Why is this a questionable form of persuasion?

​Attempts to persuade the reader by repeating a message over and over again

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Repetition

Open Ended

What is the purpose of the repetition in this commerical?

Tries to persuade the reader to do, think, or buy something because it is popular or because everyone else is doing it

Bandwagon

Open Ended

What is a bandwagon that you have jumped on?

Makes an oversimplified statement about a group based on limited information

Sweeping Generalization (Stereotype)

Open Ended

Do you fall into thinking the way the stereotypes are shown in this ad? How were you affected as a viewer?

An attempt to distract the reader with details not relevant to the argument

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Red Herring

Open Ended

What are some ways the public is distracted by the speakers?

States a conclusion as part of the proof of an argument​

Circular Argument

Open Ended

Why is America number 1?

Tries to persuade the reader by using words that appeal to the reader's emotions instead of to logic or reason

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​Emotional Appeal (Pathos)

Open Ended

What was your reaction to this commerical? Was it effective?

Persuasive Techniques

​writing techniques used to influence others' beliefs, opinions, or actions

​Think of the acronym
PAFORREST

Places emphasis on certain elements through repetition of sentence structure
Example: "I came, I saw, I conquered."

​Parallelism

the beginning of two or more words that start with the same letter or sound; makes the phrase easy to remember
Example: "Melts in your mouth, not in your hand."

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Alliteration

A piece of intormation that is provided objectively and presented as true

Example: The FDA's campaign against tobacco states the potential harms caused by tobacco use: mouth cancer, tooth loss,

brown teeth, jaw pain, gum disease

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​Facts

- A personal view, attitude, or appraisal

Example: Houzz has quickly become a lead source for my firm. It is also a gret tool to work with clients through the design process. -Green Scene Landscaping

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​Opinions

Repeating keywords/phrases or claim; over time this becomes well known and internalized by listeners whether it is true or not.

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Example: "Make America Great Again." - Donald Trump

Repetition

A question asked just to make an assertion of affermation or denial and not to elicit a reply

Example: "Do you want to live in a country where your freedoms are taken away?" (obviously no)

Rhetorical Questions

Word choice used to manipulate the listener's emotions and therefore the listener's opinions

Example: "Protect our children from the dangers lurking in our streets."

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Emotional Language

The tactic is often said to create a sense of overwhelming public opinion in favor of a particular viewpoint

Example: 9 out of 10 dentists recommend Sensodyne Toothpaste

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Statistics

Information or details grouped in sets of three.

Example: Do you want to be a lawyer, a doctor, or a teacher?

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Triples

Remember: PAFORREST

P -
A -
F -
O -
R -
R -
E -
S -
T -