Propaganda Essay
Task: Compare and contrast two examples of political wartime propaganda. At least one
piece must be from World War One. This will work well with just a focus on WWI, but
you may compare propaganda between eras as well. Examples may be visual (posters,
cartoons, paintings) or text (pamphlets, literature, speeches) or combine both. Your
discussion should evaluate both the techniques and the messages (both stated and
implied) in the propaganda you choose.
Suggested topics for focus or consideration: All of these issues should be the focus of
your analysis, but you may choose to target one as the primary point of comparison or
contrast in the examples you choose.

Propaganda with a specific audience (the enemy, soldiers in combat, civilian
recruits, civilians at home)

Propaganda with a specific subject (the enemy, soldiers in combat, civilian
recruits, civilians at home)

Propaganda with a specific intent (instilling patriotic sentiment; boosting morale;
glamorizing war; shaping perspectives of the enemy)

Propaganda that uses similar techniques (bandwagon; snob appeal; transfer; etc)
Drafting and discussing:
Organize your discussion around a central thesis comparison. Don’t just wander through
all the elements of both examples.
Use direct example to clarify your points. This means direct text and also clear
descriptions of the elements in visual propaganda. Assume your audience can’t see the
picture. Focus their mind’s eye on the detail as you see it.
Discuss the connotative impact of the language and images. Since propaganda works on
an emotional level, you need to ground your point discussion of the “implied” content as
much as the “stated” content. Don’t assume your audience will get the implications or
subtext; you need to spell it out for them.
Finding Material:
Lots of material is available online. Search “propaganda” and the period (“WWI” or
“WWII) or media (poster) that you are looking for. You can also have lots of luck at
WWI sites as well as in books on the period, which will also have examples.