Bias, Persuasion, and Propaganda
From:
http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/bsndev-415604-recognizing-bias-propaganda-education-ppt-powerpoint/
http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/MasterFoust-400700-recognizing-bias-education-ppt-powerpoint/
What is Bias?
• Bias: (noun) a particular tendency or inclination,
especially one that prevents unprejudiced
consideration of a question; prejudice
How do you recognize bias?
• Look for
▫ Opinions
▫ Loaded Words
▫ Faulty Reasoning
Opinions
• Everyone has an opinion.
• Look for evidence that supports a point of view
or an agenda.
▫ Agenda: hidden motive, secret plan, secret
intention, hidden ploy, ulterior motive.
▫ What is the author’s opinion? It is likely that he or
she is trying to make YOU agree with him or her
by persuading you.
Loaded Words
• Denotation
▫ The dictionary
definition of the word.
• Connotation
▫ The emotions and
images associated with
a word
• Skilled authors and
speakers will always
choose their words
for the greatest
emotional impact and
clearest possible
meaning.
Word Choice (Diction) Matters
Thin
Emaciated
Two words can have
the same denotative
meaning, but call up
very different images
Word Choice Indicates Bias
Freedom Fighter
Terrorist
Word Choice Indicates Bias
Terrorist?
Freedom Fighter?
Faulty Reasoning
• Also called logical fallacies
• Indicate that something just isn’t right
• Some common examples
▫ Begging the Question
▫ Ad Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc
▫ Non Sequitor
Begging the Question
• This is a fallacy in which the author states that
something is true as a proof of itself.
• X is true because X is true
▫ George W. Bush was the worst president because
there was no president who was worse than him.
Ad Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc
• “After this therefore because of this”
• Implies that one thing caused another simply
because of their chronology
• Confuses Cause Effect relationships
• “Things went bad after Mr. Smith became CEO,
therefore it was his fault things went bad!”
Non Sequitur
• “It does not follow”
• The conclusion has no connection
whatsoever to the argument.
• “You should elect me as your
leader because I make the best ice
cream sundaes!”
Propaganda and Persuasive Techniques
• People use propaganda to make what they say or
write more convincing.
• Propaganda appeals to emotion.
• Propaganda is not always logical.
Propaganda and Persuasive Techniques
• Bandwagon:
Everyone else is doing
it, so I should too.
• Testimonial: A
famous person is used
to try and influence you
to do or buy something.
Propaganda and Persuasive Techniques
• Glittering
Generalities:
Uses words
that are
patriotic,
attractive, or
catchy, but
don't really say
anything
Propaganda and Persuasive Techniques
• Loaded Words: Using emotionally charged
words to produce strong positive or negative
feelings.
▫ Politicians are lowdown and dishonest people.
• Stereotype: Uses commonly held, but
oversimplified or unfair images of a group to
make a point which isn't true.
▫ All English teachers read Shakespeare in their
spare time; they have no fun.
Propaganda and Persuasive Techniques
• Broad Generalization: Making a broad
statement that something is true about all
members of a group.
▫ Everyone says that no one in America watches
soccer.
• Guilt by Association: Rejecting an argument
or claim because the person proposing it likes
someone whom is disliked by another.
▫ Hitler liked dogs. Therefore, dogs are bad.
Propaganda and Persuasive Techniques
• New and different: The mistaken assumption
that an idea is good just because it is new.
• Cause and effect: Assuming that the effect is
related to a cause because the events occur
together.
▫ When the rooster crows, the sun rises. Therefore,
the rooster causes the sun to rise.
Propaganda and Persuasive Techniques
• Appeal to tradition: Trying to get someone to
accept something because it has been done or
believed for a long time.
▫ This is the way we've always done it. Therefore, it
is the right way.
• Statistics: The attempt to support an idea with
math that may be tough to prove.
▫ “Our product is 25% better than the national
leading brand.”
Questions to Ask Yourself…
• Purpose
▫ Why is the author writing? What do they want me to
believe? Who is the author’s intended audience?
• Tone and Style
▫ How do they convey their message differently than
some other author might?
• Bias
▫ What preferences or prejudices does this author have?
• Propaganda and Persuasive Techniques
▫ Is the author trying to persuade you by using some
of the techniques we’ve reviewed?