Propaganda techniques
From SourceWatch
Propagandists use a variety of propaganda techniques to influence opinions and to avoid the truth. Often these techniques rely on some element of censorship or manipulation, either omitting significant information or distorting it.
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Rhetorical Techniques
During the period between World Wars I and II, the now-defunct Institute for Propaganda Analysis (IPA) developed a list of common rhetorical techniques used for propaganda purposes. Their list included the following:
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Other Techniques / Terms
- ad hominem
- apologise
- astroturf
- bad science
- bait and switch
- big lie
- buzz
- buzzwords
- comic books
- controlling the message
- demonizing the opposition
- disinformation
- divide and conquer
- echo chamber
- front group
- greenwashing
- guerrilla marketing
- junk science
- misinformation
- photographic manipulation
- policy laundering
- politics of personal destruction
- Political Code Words
- product placement
- providing pictures
- Public Service Announcments
- push poll
- quoting out of context
- release of forged documents
- repetition
- straw man
- swiftboating
- using celebrities
- talking points
- vagueness
- video news releases
- viral marketing (word of mouth)
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Recommended Books
- Anthony R. Pratkanis and Elliot Aronson, Age of Propaganda: The Everyday Use and Abuse of Persuasion, Owl Books, March 2001. ISBN 0805074031 ISBN 978-0805074031
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SourceWatch Resources
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External links
- Institute for Propaganda Analysis offers analysis, with current and historical examples, of rhetorical tactics often used by propagandists, based on the framework developed in the 1930s by the IPA.
- Thinkquest's Wartime Propaganda
- Trudy Lieberman, "Answer the &$%#* Question!: Ever Wonder Why They Won't? They've Been Media-Trained. And the Public Is the Loser", Columbia Journalism Review, January/February 2004.
- Floyd McKay, "Propaganda: America's Psychological Warriors", The Seattle Times, February 19, 2006.
