Propaganda and Persuasive Techniques

How do people influence you?Sherwood BrooksDriftwood Middle School 2010Propaganda and Persuasive TechniquesWhat is Propaganda?A form of communication that may use distorted, false, or misleading information to persuadeCircular reasoningStereotypingOvergeneralizationCause and Effect FallacyCircular Reasoning

An attempt to support a statement by repeating it in other wordsExample:Using video cameras to monitor school hallways is good because it feels right.Stereotyping A stereotype is a generalization about a group of people (Racial, ethnic, religious) that doesnt take into account individual differences

OvergeneralizationA broad statement that says something is true for every case, with no exceptions.

Cause and Effect Fallacy The author makes the assumption that because one event follows another, the second was caused by the first.

The school cut security staff, and two students fell down the stairs and were seriously injured.A means of convincing people: to buy a certain product to believe something or act in a certain way to agree with a point of view

What is Persuasion?Persuasive Techniques False Analogy compares two things that do not have enough similarities to be a valid comparison

Persuasive TechniquesFalse premise begins with a statement that is not true

People who wear glasses are smart. Naomi wears glasses, so she is smart.

If Im made from sugar, why am I a sugar substitute?Persuasive TechniquesRed Herring a reason that distracts from the argument

Persuasive Techniques Either/or Fallacy assumes that there are only two alternatives.

Either go to college or forget about getting a good job.

Repetition: The name of a product is repeated many times

HEAD ON Apply directly to the forehead

HEAD ON Apply directly to the forehead

HEAD ON Apply directly to the foreheadSlogan: Can you hear me now?

A catchy phrase or statement often used to sell a service or a product.

BandwagonA statement suggesting that everyone is using a specific product, so you should tooPersuading people to do something by letting them know others are doing itGives impression that you will be left out if you dont do what you are being persuadedExample: See why so many women have switched (Shampoo advertisement)

Why are these examples of Bandwagon?

TestimonialA well-known person supports a product or service

Testimonial works because you feel like you can trust the words of someone who is famous.

Expert OpinionAds using scientific sounding language to make a product seem more effective. Appeals to the audiences intellectFour out of five dentists recommend this toothpaste.Studies show that.

Expert OpinionExperts approve this product, so you should use itFour out of five dentists recommend sugarless gum for their patients who chew gum

Emotional AppealA person is made to have strong feelings about a situation or productUsing the words of a famous person to persuade you Got Milk? Just Say No!Loaded words that make people feel strongly - love/hate, patriotic, loyal, un-American, socialist, bully Sports figures promoting athletic gear, sports drinks, or shoes.

Quick ReviewSoda is as healthy to drink as water. So I drink soda with all my meals.

False PremiseQuick ReviewEither you vote for Ellen Green for student body president or our school activities will decline.

Either/Or FallacyQuick ReviewJust as dogs need to be trained to obey commands, students need strong discipline to improve their learning.

False AnalogyQuick ReviewYes, animals are trapped in zoos. But what about all those people trapped in jobs they hate?

Red HerringQuick ReviewAll teenagers love the Twilight series. Youll love it too!

BandwagonQuick ReviewDale Chapman will make an excellent governor, says Nobel Prize winner, Peter Genzarro.

TestimonialHomework Bring to school magazine and newspaper ads, pictures printed from the Internet, movie posters, videotaped commercials, or other materials that attempt to persuade people in some way.