What is propaganda, really?
Humanities Webquest
English-Language Arts Standards
7th Grade Reading Comprehension: Analysis of GradeLevel-Appropriate Text
 2.4 Identify and trace the development of an author’s
argument, point of view, or perspective in text.

2.6 Assess the adequacy, accuracy, and appropriateness of
the author’s evidence to support claims and assertions,
noting instances of bias and stereotyping.
7th Grade Listening and Speaking: Analysis and
Evaluation of Oral and Media Communications
 1.8 Analyze the effect on the viewer of images, text,
and sound in electronic journalism; identify the
techniques used to achieve the effects in each
instance studied.
Introduction
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Everyday we are bombarded with
information on TV, the radio, the internet,
magazines, email….What is the purpose
behind all of this information? Are we
aware of the creator’s intentions and all
of the different forms used to convey the
information, such as, music and pictures?
Is this information accurate? Who
benefits from this information? Have you
been maniputed by propaganda?
Tasks
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Task #1 Understanding Propaganda (partner)
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Find examples of the major types of propaganda using this powerpoint and links
provided. Fill-in both sides of the handout.
Task #2 Propaganda in Animal Farm (individual)

Identify at least two types of propaganda used in Animal Farm. Be sure to use a
couple of examples to support your claim—include page numbers. Pen or typed.
Task #3 Examples of Propaganda (individual)

Find one or more examples of propaganda being used in media, advertising, and/or
politics.

How are images/pictures/symbols, color, words, spatial organization/layout being
used to persuade the audience (you)? What propaganda techniques are being
used? Write a short (1-2 paragraphs) description about the propaganda you find.
Write neatly in pen or type.
Task #4 Types of Governments (individual)

Research types of governments using provided links to websites
Task #5 Propaganda Campaign (group)

You will be assigned either a government or economic system. Create a campaign
to convince people that your assigned political or economic system is the most
effective or at least that it will be appealing. Create a visual aide poster (three fold
booth).
Task#1, Step 1:
Propaganda techniques
Slides 6-15 will help you fill-in
your handout.
Purpose of Propaganda?
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Any technique that attempts to
influence the opinions, emotions,
attitudes, or behavior of a group in
order to benefit the sponsor
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Used every day, in the military, in the
media, in advertising, in politics, and in
all sorts of human relationships
Bandwagon
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Persuading people to do something by
letting them know others are doing it
Example:
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“Either you are with us or against us”
Testimonial
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Using the words of a famous or
respectable person to persuade
Example: Proactive
Transfer
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Using names/pictures of famous
people but w/out direct quotations
Uses authority and prestige of
something we respect/revere
Example:
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symbols are constantly used
cross = Christian church
flag = nation
Repetition
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Repeating product name at least four
times within the advertisement
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What animals repeat everything they
hear in Animal Farm?
Lesser of Two Evils
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Tries to convince us of an idea by
presenting it as least offensive option
Example from Animal Farm:
“You don’t want Mr. Jones back, do
you?”
Doublespeak or Euphemisms
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Used to make something not sound as bad as it
is
examples:
 “went to heaven” = died
 “crusade” = war
 In Chapter 9 of Animal Farm, Squealer uses
the term “readjustments” when he means
“reduction” of food rations (Orwell 115).
Other techniques
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Fear
Glittering Generalities
Name-calling
Plain Folks
Straw man
Critical Thinking
To protect yourself against the techniques of
propaganda, three good questions to ask
yourself are:
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Who does this benefit?
Why did they do that?
According to whom?
(Definitions retrieved from MrDonn.org)
Task #1, Step #2
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Using the websites below, skim through them so that you become
familiar with the many uses of propaganda. On your handout take
notes on anything that interests you; this will help prepare you for
your propaganda campaign (task #5).
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http://www.thematzats.com/propaganda/prop/index.htm
http://www.foothilltech.org/rgeib/english/media_literacy/advertising_te
chniques.htm
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/issues/index.cfm
http://library.thinkquest.org/17067/influence/nfinfluence.html
http://academic.cuesta.edu/acasupp/as/404.htm
http://propaganda.mrdonn.org/techniques.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/C0111500/proptech.htm
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Analysis of Advertising
(Task #1 Cont.)
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As a class, watch “The Closet” and
complete to boxes of chart.
Choose two of the following
advertisements to finish chart:
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Gatorade
Starbucks
Crest
Coke
Dr. Pepper (1960s)
Chrysler
Task #4 Government Types
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Take notes on each of the different gov. types and
read the explanations/definition of totalitarian and
democracy:
Brief overview of all types
 http://www.stutzfamily.com/mrstutz/WorldAffairs/
typesofgovt.html
 http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/find_out/guid
es/world/united_nations/types_of_government/n
ewsid_2151000/2151570.stm
Democracy
 http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/de/Democr
acy
Evaluation: Grading Rubrics
Outstanding (+)
Meets Standard (√)
Below Standard (-)
Task #1:
Techniques and
Ad Notes
•Detailed notes with
clear examples
• Handout/chart is
complete filled out
• Some notes and
• Handout/chart is
mostly filled out
• Incomplete notes
and chart or not
completed
Task #2:
Animal Farm
Propaganda
• Identifies two
examples of
propaganda w/in A.F.
• Cites the specific
page & explains the
use of propaganda
• Lack some detail
but does identify two
examples and
provides citation and
explanation
• Lacks detail and
explanation
• Doesn’t identify two
examples
• Doesn’t cite specific
pages
References
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Webquests used as models:
Bersaglia, N. What’s all the hype…a look at propaganda? Retrieved
on March 8, 2010 from
http://questgarden.com/115/36/7/101128225043/
Kelts, A.B. Would you be Among the Hidden? Retrieved on March 8,
2010 from http://questgarden.com/95/02/9/100126054051/
Reynolds, B. The Hunger Games: Propaganda and persuasion.
Retrieved on March 8, 2010 from
http://questgarden.com/81/91/0/090501060628/t-index.htm.