1984
DISCUSSION
POWER and CONTROL: How does a massive takeover begin?
How does such a large group of people become so completely submissive to the body of power that
governs them?
It may seem strange to suggest that the study of propaganda has relevance to
contemporary politics. After all, when most people think about propaganda, they
think of the enormous campaigns that were waged by Hitler and Stalin in the
1930s. Since nothing comparable is being disseminated in our society today, many
believe that propaganda is no longer an issue.
NOTE:
But propaganda today is even more pervasive and subtle: it might can be as
blatant as a swastika or as subtle as a joke. Its persuasive techniques are
regularly applied by politicians, advertisers, journalists, radio personalities, and
others who are interested in influencing human behavior. Propagandistic
messages can be used to accomplish positive social ends, as in campaigns to
reduce drunk driving, but they are also used to win elections and to sell malt
liquor.
QUESTIONS FOR STUDY: (Part 1 of 1984)



What steps are taken to ensure that there will be a next generation of Party followers?
In which ways are the children are taught to obey the Party?
What are some examples that it is clearly working?
QUOTATION FOR THOUGHT:
"Every day we are bombarded with one persuasive communication after another. These
appeals persuade not through the give-and-take of argument and debate, but through the
manipulation of symbols and of our most basic human emotions. For better or worse, ours is
an age of propaganda" (Pratkanis and Aronson 91).
Methods of
Communication
Ex. Internet
Example:
Basic Human Emotions
Pop up ads for products
Need to fit in – appeals to
psychological
MASLOW’S HEIRARCHY OF NEEDS
With the growth of communication tools, the flow of persuasive messages has been
dramatically accelerated. For the first time ever, citizens around the world are participating in
uncensored conversations about their collective future. This is a wonderful development, but
there is a cost.
The information revolution has led to information overload, and people are confronted with
hundreds of messages each day. Although few studies have looked at this topic, it seems fair
to suggest that many people respond to this pressure by processing messages more quickly
and, when possible, by taking mental short-cuts.
Propagandists love short-cuts -- particularly those which short-circuit rational thought. They
encourage this by agitating emotions, by exploiting insecurities, by capitalizing on the
ambiguity of language, and by bending the rules of logic. As history shows, they can be quite
successful.
CREATIVE TASK:
Create a poster to demonstrate the focus and objective of ONE OF THE MINISTRIES in the text:

Ministry of Truth - propaganda

Ministry of Love – law and order

Ministry of Plenty - rationing

Ministry of Peace - war
Each of the ministries created by the Party does just the opposite of
what it says.
For each ministry (in a small self-appointed group) create a 2
perspective poster: 1 half will demonstrate the aim and role of the
Ministry as presented in the text. The other half will project the real
image, focus, and aim of the ministry (often relayed by Winston’s
thoughts).
1.
2.
3.
4.
Each HALF of the poster must have each of the following components:
A slogan – a catchy phrase to illicit public interest and appeal
A focal point that includes an image/symbol of the ministry
2 propaganda techniques – see below
Any other phrases or visuals that will enhance your poster and convey both the intended messages of
the Party and the obvious goal of the Party to dominate its citizens through totalitarianism
COMMON PROPAGANDA TECHNIQUES
1. NAME CALLING or STEREOTYPING: Giving a person or an idea a bad label by using an easy to remember name. This is used to make us reject
and condemn a person or idea without examining what the label really means. Examples: "Republican", "Tree-Hugger", "Liberal",
"Environmentalist", etc.
2. VIRTUE WORDS or GLITTERING GENERALITY: These words are used to dupe us into accepting and approving of things without examining the
evidence carefully. Examples: "Natural", "Democratic", "Sustainable", "Organic", "Scientific", "Healthy", "Ecological".
3. DEIFICATION: This is when an idea is made to appear holy, sacred, or very special and therefore above all law. Any alternative or opposite
points of view are thereby given the appearance of treason or blasphemy. Examples: "God-given right to...", "Mother Earth", "Gia".
4. TRANSFER: Transfer is when a symbol that carries respect, authority, sanction, and prestige is used along with an idea or argument to make it
look more acceptable. Examples: Canadian Flag, University Seal, Medical Association Symbol (or something that looks like it). This method is
also called GUILT- or VIRTUE-BY-ASSOCIATION.
5. TESTIMONIAL: When some respected celebrity (or alternatively someone generally hated) claims that an idea or product is good (or
bad). This technique is used to convince us without examining the facts more carefully.
6. PLAIN FOLKS: This is a way that a speaker convinces an audience that an idea is good because they are the same ideas of the vast majority of
people like yourself. Examples: "This is the will of the People", "Most Canadians...". Another example would be when the speaker tells a story
about a family or people that are "just like you" to reinforce the speaker's point of view.
7. BAND WAGON: This common propaganda method is when the speaker tries to convince us to accept their point of view or else we will miss
out on something really good. Examples: "This is the wave of the future", "Be the first on your block", "Act Now!"
8. ARTIFICIAL DICHOTOMY: This is when someone tries to claim there are only two sides to an issue and that both sides must have equal
presentation in order to be evaluated. This technique is used to dupe us into believing there is only one way to look at an issue, when in fact
there may be many alternative viewpoints or "sides". Like most propaganda techniques it simplifies reality and therefore distorts it, often to the
advantage of the speaker. A classic example is the "intelligent design" versus "evolution" controversy, or "You are either with us, or against us".
9. STALLING or EVADING/IGNORING THE QUESTION: This technique is used to play for more time or to avoid answering a pointed
question. Examples: "More research is needed...", "A fact-finding committee is working on this issue..." "I am calling for an investigation on this
failure.." When asked about a tax increase possibility a senator replies: "I have always met the obligations I have to those I represent."
10. LEAST-OF-EVILS is used to justify an otherwise unpleasant or unpopular point of view. Example: '"War is hell but appeasement leads to
worse disasters".
11. SCAPEGOAT: This often use with Guilt-by-association to deflect scrutiny away from the issues. It transfers blame to one person or group of
people without investigating the complexities of the issue. Examples: "Harper got us into more debt.", "The Minister of Education approved the
new curriculum for sex education".
12. MISUSE OF STATISTICS: For example, representing 13 out of 19 students as 68.42105 percent.
13. FEAR