Propaganda
Propaganda is the deliberate use of deceptive or distorted information to achieve a goal. This method is a flawed way of making an argument; it is also a common way of making an argument. It appeals to emotions and uses fuzzy, sloppy thinking.
Persuasion is different. Persuasion gives all information to an audience and does so in an unbiased, objective manner. Logical wins in persuasion. Deception wins in propaganda.
The following 13 fallacies are used to prove a thesis, idea, or reason is true--not to prove that it is valid, nor to prove that it is sound.
Items 1-11 are tactics used in making an argument, items 12 and 13 refer to specific words that can be used with items 1-11.
- Appeal to the people (bandwagon): Everybody agrees or is doing it. If everyone is skipping school that day, it’s okay for me to do it too.
- Appeal to authority: Higher authority or power is used as the last word on the subject. My mom always used [ingredient], and it always turned out fine.
- Appeal to emotions: Tell a sad story. If un-adopted, these puppies will die.
- Stack the Deck: Only the good side is mentioned; ignore unfavorable facts. This product whitens teeth
but may also cause gum disease. You must write and then strike through the information that you will are not revealing. - Broad Generalization: Broad statements with little substance are made. Math is for losers. All high school boys are immature.
- Circular Thinking: The conclusion just restates the beginning. This is a boring class because it is not interesting.
- Appeal to Ignorance: It must be true because no one has proven it false. There must be life on Mars because scientists can’t prove that there’s not life on Mars, can they?
- Either/Or: Analyzing a complex situation as if it has only two sides. Either you are with us or against us.
- Oversimplification: Making complicated issues or problems seem overly simple or easy to solve. Having open campus is about one thing: fairness.
- Straw Man: Exaggerating or oversimplifying the other side’s point of view so it can be rejected as ridiculous. Those who support no open campus do not care about students’ happiness.
- Irrelevant Evidence: Using information that is not related to the issue. Most students have a job; therefore, students should have open campus.
- Loaded Words: Using words that are associated with strong emotions. Many radicals support that idea, which will hurt hard-working families.
- Plain Folks Appeal: Common, everyday people support it. A grandmotherly person is rolling biscuits by hand in an advertisement for fast-food restaurant.
National Public Radio (NPR.org) files on loaded words and connotation.