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Bias, Persuasion and Propaganda. English IV B. Today’s outline. Purpose of studying Types of Bias Persuasion Techniques Propaganda Techniques Examples/Discussion. Purpose of studies. Why do I need to know this crap?. It’s not crap.
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Bias, Persuasion and Propaganda English IV B
Today’s outline • Purpose of studying • Types of Bias • Persuasion Techniques • Propaganda Techniques • Examples/Discussion
Why do I need to know this crap? It’s not crap. • As an adult, you will need to evaluate the validity of every news source, commercial, and conversation you encounter. • Understanding bias, persuasion and propaganda will help you weed through the lies and deceit to find the truth. • This will help you make informed personal choices since you will know how to weed out the junk to see what truths exist or are ignored.
Types of Bias From the writer’s background
Spin • Only one interpretation of the scenario or event is told • Tone influences the spin of a biased news story • If a news story reflects both sides of a situation equally, the story does not have a spin bias.
Social class • One social/economic class is ignored, while only the thoughts, opinions, or situations of another social/economic class is acknowledged. • When many or all social/economic classes are taken into account in a new story, there is not a social class bias in the story
Political • The information is obviously for or against a specific political party or candidate. • If an article or piece shows the point of view of both/all political parties or candidates, it is not politically biased.
Religious • Information does not take into consideration more than one religion or it negatively targets one religion. • The point of view of the writer may only be that of a person from one religion. • Also, the piece may convey a negative attitude toward a religion or religious sect. • If a piece does not address religious beliefs or takes into consideration various religious beliefs, it does not contain religious bias.
Sensationalism • Bias in favor of the exceptional over the ordinary • Example: exceptional news is overemphasized, distorted, or fabricated to boost commercial ratings • May also use sexuality to boost the importance or desire for mundane or ordinary things • Auto-makers are notorious for this.
Selective • Selecting sources which enhance writer’s opinions without considering sources which represent a counter-argument • May choose or omit sources which support reasoning for or against something • If author uses sources that support both sides of the argument, this bias is not being used
Culture • Either ignores or only considers a peer or ethnic group. • This bias targets the typical actions or characteristics of a peer or ethnic group. • Examples of peer/ethnic groups: • Teenagers • Retirees • Hispanics • Evangelicals • Conservatives or liberals • Yankees or southerners • Immigrants
Persuasion Techniques Effectively convincing others
Statistics • Numbers, charts, and graphs look convincing but some (not all) may be misleading.
Celebrity Endorsements This famous person does this/ wears that/ eats here, so why don’t you?
Repetition If people hear it/see it enough, maybe they’ll believe it’s true! Chevy trucks: Like a rock, like a rock...
Rhetorical Questions Questions for effect, not for answering: “Who do you think you are, young lady/young man?” Example: Got Milk?
Appeal to Emotion You’ll be happier/ have more friends/ feel better if you will… Uses emotion, pity, or sympathy to sell a product.
Appeal to Science Refers to scientific “findings” and “beliefs” that may or may not be true. Example: Products advertised to help preparefamilies for Y2K.
Appeal to Authority References to authority figures and belief systems: “so and so says you should…” Depends on a spokesperson, television star, athlete, or public figure to endorse the item.
Guilt If you don’t do/ believe this, you are a bad/ lazy/ whatever person.
Plain Folks People just like you do this/ believe that/ whatever, so you should do/ believe/ whatever too. “Good ol’ boys like us believe in plain, good-quality items. None of this fancy stuff.”
Scare Tactics If you don’t do/ believe this, something bad will happen to you.
Transfer If you do/ believe this, other aspects of your life will improve. “If you buy this product, you’ll be good-looking or successful, too!”
Propaganda Techniques Taking persuasion to the extreme
Glittering Generalities Words sound good but mean nothing: virtually, nearly, most... Example: “ A vote for our candidate is a vote for progress, achievement, and decency.”
Bandwagon Everybody else is doing this, so why don’t you join them? Attempts to influence others with “everyday” people.
About that real world… Where do we see propaganda and persuasion?
News Stories • President World Climate trip • CBS News • Fox News
Advertisements • Oil of Olay (1986) • Quaker Oats • Jim Beam
Public Service Announcements • Obesity is Suicide • Don’t Drink and Drive