ELA Grade 6 Plugging into Propaganda, Lesson 2 Resource 2.2
Propaganda Techniques
“Propaganda Techniques,” Holt Literature & Language Arts, Introductory Course, 2003, pp. 643-645
Propaganda techniques appeal more to your emotions than to common sense or logic.
Like persuasive techniques, they are used to convince you to think, feel, or act a certain way. The
difference is that a propagandist, a person who uses propaganda techniques, does not want you
to think critically about the message.
For example, when you hear the name of a product or see its logo* associated with your
favorite football team, your excitement for that team is being used to sell that product. If you
connect your excitement about the team with the product enough times, this propaganda
technique, known as transfer, may eventually persuade you to buy the product. Your decision
would be based not on logical reasons for buying the product but on your emotional response to
the propaganda technique.
The following chart gives definitions and examples of other common propaganda
techniques found in television ads and programs. As you watch TV, look for the given clues to
identify these techniques in every kind of programming you watch.
PROPAGANDA TECHNIQUES USED ON TELEVISION
Techniques
Clues
Examples
Bandwagon tries to convince you
to do something or believe
something because everyone else
does.
Listen for slogans that use the
words everyone, everybody, all, or
in some cases, nobody.
While being interviewed on a talk
show, an author might encourage
viewers to join the thousands of
other people who have benefited
from his new diet book.
Loaded language uses words with
strongly positive or negative
meanings.
Listen for strongly positive or
negative words, such as perfect or
terrible.
Wake-up Juice is a fantastic way
to start your day!
Product placement uses brand-
name products as part of the
scenery. The products' companies
may pay producers for this
seemingly unintended advertising.
As you watch TV, keep your eyes
peeled for clearly visible brand
names. Ask yourself if the brand
names have anything to do with
the plot of the show.
In the middle of a TV movie, an
actor may drink a bottle of juice.
The juice is not an important part
of the plot, but the brand name of
the juice is clearly visible.
Snob appeal suggests that a
viewer can be special or part of a
special group if he or she agrees
with an idea or buys a product.
Listen for words, such as
exclusive, best, or quality. Look
for images of wealth, such as big
houses, expensive cars, and fancy
boats.
Treat your cat like a queen; give
her the cat food preferred
exclusively by discriminating cats.
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SAUSD Common Core Unit
32
