1. bandwagon
This technique attempts to persuade the audience to join in "what everyone else is doing."
2. Testimonial
This technique uses quotations, both in or out of context, or personal endorsements to support or reject a given product, person, or idea.
3. Transfer
In this form of propaganda, the positive qualities or values of a person, icon, object, or idea are associated with another product, person, or idea. The product, person, or idea that is being promoted benefits from being associated with a symbol or idea that is genearally well-regarded by society.
4. sweeping generalization
This technique uses emotionally appealing words or phrases to promote a product, person, or idea. These words are usually extremely positive (for example: "freedom," "hope," "courage," "democracy.")
5. Plain folks
This type of propaganda attempts to convince the audience that specific ideas are, "of the people."
6. card stacking
This technique uses selected facts or false information to present only one side of an issue.
7. Name calling
This technique gives a bad label to something in order to get its audience to reject or condemn something without evidence.
8. repetition
This kind of propaganda repeats a simple idea or slogan until it is finally accepted as truth.
Continue on to Practice Examples
Continue on to Practice Examples
9. red herring
This kind of propaganda is an attempt to distract the reader with details not related to the argument.
10. Emotional appeal
Propaganda that tries to persuade the reader by using words and other details that appeal to the reader's emotions instead of using logic or reason; uses highly connotative, loaded or charged words.
11. Circular argument
This type of propaganda states a conclusion as part of the proof of the argument.
12. Appeal to numbers, facts, or statistics
In this kind of propaganda,