TCOM 4887 THEORIES AND CRITICISM OF TELECOMMUNICATION
PROPAGANDA TECHNIQUES/LOGICAL FALLICIES
Name
PROPAGANDA
TECHNIQUES
Definition
Example
Bandwagon
Implies something is right because
everyone is doing it
An important or famous person
endorses a product
Good feelings, looks, or ideas
transferred to the person for whom the
product is intended
The product name or keyword or
phrase is repeated several times
Everyone loves the great taste of Mrs.
Miller's broccoli Jello.
Arnold Palmer endorses Pennzoil,
Testimonial
Transfer
Repetition
Emotional Words
Name Calling
Faulty Cause and Effect
Compare and Contrast
Words such as luxury, beautiful,
paradise, and economical are used to
evoke positive feelings in the audience
Negative words are used to create an
unfavorable opinion of the competition
in the viewers mind
Use of a product is creating a positive
result
The audience is lead to believe that
one product is better than another
although no real proof is offered
Brand X Dog Food will show your that you
are a loving, compassionate person, since it
uses Grade A Beef
Brand X sunglasses are the very best on the
market. Brand X uses only costly materials and
Brand X is your best value in Sunglasses.
The Luxurious new Footmobile is economical and
shows your exquisite taste in transportation and
your keen sense of style.
Ordinary pain relievers dont show your
family you care like using Brand X quality
pain relievers
Subway sandwiches caused Bobby to loose
40 pounds
Value Cola is preferred by cola gourmets
over other leading colas
LOGICAL
FALLACIES
Alleged Certainty
Presents something as certain that is
open to debate
Generalization from inadequate
evidence
Asserts the same point in different
terms
Where the conclusion does not follow
from the premise
Because two events are related in time,
the first caused the second.
It is obvious that Brand X is the better value
in lawn chairs.
OSU is the best medical school in the State
since it is the largest in the state..
Deceitful because it is dishonest
Self-Contradiction
Two premises cant be simultaneously
true
Only when nuclear weapons have destroyed all of
us will we be convinced of the need to control
them
Red herring
Sidetracking the issue by raising a
second unrelated issue
Ad Hominem
Attacking the person instead of dealing
with the merits of the argument
Why should we worry about earthquake
victims when there are potholes here in the
United States?
We might take his side in the argument if she
were not so arrogant
False Authority
Citing the opinion of an expert who has
no expertise about the subject at hand
Hasty Generalization
Circular Argument,
Begging the Question
Non-sequitur
False Cause
John likes dogs so he will do well in
medicine
After drinking milk for 20 years, Sue became
addicted to drugs. Therefore milk causes
drug addiction.
Richard Petty for a particular brand of gasoline.
(He is an expert in driving not the additives in
gasoline)
Propaganda Techniques, Logical Fallacies HTM
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Name
Definition
Example
Either/or False Dilemma
Offers only 2 alternatives when more
exist
Posses question to which any answer
results in unproven assumptions
Asserts that the first step leads
inevitably to a second step
Diverts argument by pointing to
another unrelated wrong
Either complete a college degree or be
homeless
Are you still beating your wife?
Complex or loaded
question
Slippery Slope
Two Wrongs
Appeal to ignorance
Assumes something is true simply
because it has not been proven false
Appeal to pity
Attempt to arouse pity and divert
attention
Banning assault weapons is the first step to
banning handguns
Women should be allowed in combat
because men shouldnt be the only ones to
face danger and death
Flying saucers must exist because no
scientific study has proven that they cannot
exist.
He did embezzle a lot of money from his
company, but his wife just died and his child
needs surgery.
Web Resources (Be sure to look at these for additional information)
Center Media and Democracy; Sourcewatch, Propaganda Techniques Available online at:
([Link]
Delwiche Aaron; Propaganda Critic; Available online at ([Link]
Media Awareness Network, Student Handout Available online at:
([Link]
Propaganda Techniques, Logical Fallacies HTM
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