Arguments& Propaganda

Arguments

• States a problem• States a thesis/claim (an opinion on the

problem)• Considers the other side of the claim• Uses logic, etc to refute the other side of the

claim• Uses logic, reason, facts, evidence, etc to

support the author’s claim• Predicts the consequences

Propaganda

Definition: Information, esp. of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view

Biased: Show prejudice for or against (someone or something) unfairly

Propaganda

• Says there is a problem• Says there is one correct way to fix it• Works through using core values (morals),

emotions, assumptions, biases• Believes only this side has value (other side

ignored)• May change/alter facts to help claim• Ignores consequences

Argument Example – Car salesman• Problem: I want a raise in pay.• Thesis: My company should give me more money.• Opposite claim: I don’t deserve one.– Evidence to refute: According to the logs, I work on

average 25 hours more per week than everyone else.• My claim: I am a better salesman than anyone

else.– Evidence to support: Sales records show that I have

sold more cars every month for the last two years. • Consequences:– If you don’t give me a raise you will lose a hard worker

and an excellent source of profits for the company.

Propaganda example --

Some tricks used in Propaganda

• Word Choice: strong words that suggest very negative or very positive feelings– commands

WORD CHOICE: “Can’t” – implies that if you aren’t good enough to fight in the war,

you can still have value

WORD CHOICE: commands - do it!

Some tricks used in Propaganda

• Alliteration: repeating same consonant sound…to make it stick in your head– Buy Bruiser Baseball Bats!

• Rhyme: repeating end sound…to make it stick in your head– It’s BEST to fly with SOUTHWEST!

Rhyme

Alliteration

Some tricks used in Propaganda

• Inspiration: getting people excited about a better life or future

• Exaggeration: making something seem more than it is

INSPIRATION/EXAGGERATION: if you do this then all Americans will have REALLY big muscles to fight off

evil – looks like Captain America with his shield

Examples of propaganda strategies

1. Fear Mongering: “if you don’t do it, bad things

will happen”

FEAR: if you don’t do this, bad things will happen…wolves, snakes, death, war, etc.

2. Bandwagon: “everyone else believes it…”

3. Black & White Fallacy:“you are either WITH us or

AGAINST us”

4. Associating: “beautiful and popular people do this – if you do it, you will

also be beautiful and popular”

5. Demonizing the Enemy:making it seem that everyone who

is NOT like you is a monster

6. Flag-waving: doing this will make you more

patriotic

FLAG-WAVING – American flag design

FLAG-WAVING : “liberty” – implies that if you buy it you are for freedom and if you don’t, then

you are for enslavement

FLAG-WAVING – you can save America

Alliteration

7. Slogans: catchy phrases

Interesting note: While this poster

was made for England during

WW2, it was never actually

used.

8. Shaming: making people feel bad or guilty about their choices or lifestyle

Other examples

Assignment 1

• Pick one of the following claims:

• Reading is bad for you.• Eating vegetables is unhealthy.• Tigers (or other strange animals) make terrific pets.• Air pollution is good for our planet.

Assignment, cont.

• Now use 5 of the 7 propaganda techniques to discuss the claim you chose.– Fear-mongering– Bandwagon– Black & White fallacy– Associating– Demonizing the enemy– Flag-waving– Slogans

Assignment, cont.

• Now write 2 examples of each of the following:– Commands– Alliteration (a phrase of at least 4 words)– Rhyme (a phrase with at least 2 rhyming words)

NameDateClass

Propaganda TechniquesWrite Out Your Claim

1. Fear Mongering: If you eat vegetables, you will…

2. Technique name: your example

3. Technique name: your example

4. Technique name: your example

5. Technique name: your example

6. 2 examples of commands

7. 2 examples of alliteration

8. 2 examples of rhyme

Assignment 2

• Create a full color and well-designed propaganda poster to support your topic. You will be graded based on your effort, the quality of your work, and your use of propaganda devices. (you will not be graded on your drawing skills)

• Handmade; 11x17

Sources• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keep_Calm_and_Carry_On• http://www.keepcalmandcarryon.com/history/• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-German_sentiment• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda