We have responsibility to make informed decisions when we participate in the election process. Oftentimes, propaganda is tough to recognize and sift through as we are bombarded with so much of it. Hopefully, this will help us all read between the lines, weigh facts against purpose and propaganda techniques.

According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, Propaganda is defined as:

• the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person

• ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one’s cause or to damage an opposing cause; also : a public action having such an effect

Understanding Propaganda Techniques:

Glittering Generalities: Uses important-sounding “glad words” that have little or no real meaning in general statements that cannot be proved or disproved. Words like “good,” “honest,” “fair,” and “best” are examples of “glad” words.Transfer: An attempt to transfer the prestige of a positive symbol to a person or an idea.

Name calling: Is attaching a negative label to a person or a thing, often used to avoid supporting opinion with facts.

Card Stacking: When a series of half-truths are presented to slant a message and/or stack cards in ones favor by omitting key words or unfavorable statistics.

Testimonial: When “big name” personalities are used to endorse a product.

Plain Folks: When people with ordinary looks doing ordinary activities are used to convince us to support someone or something.

Bandwagon: Encourages the everyone else is doing it, so should you mentality.

There are numerous Propaganda Techniques including:

• Appeal to Emotion
• Appeal to the People
• Appealing to Force
• Appeal to Authority
• Contradiction
• False Cause
• Evading the Issue
• Arguing from Ignorance
• Poisoning the Well
• Ad Hominem

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