Propaganda Techniques Worksheet | PDF - Free Printable

Here is the completed Propaganda Techniques Worksheet with explanations for each answer:

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Propaganda Techniques Worksheet

Directions: Read each example of propaganda and identify which technique is used.

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1. It’s 2008 and time to join the parade of people jogging, walking, and playing in GymFan athletic shoes. Don’t be the only one in town stepping to the beat of an old-fashioned drummer! Get a pair of NIKE today!
👉 Bandwagon
*Explanation:* This ad encourages people to follow the crowd ("join the parade") and not be left behind. It implies that if everyone else is using Nike shoes, you should too—playing on the desire to fit in or be part of a trend.

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2. “I’m a professional basketball player. You’ve probably seen me grabbing rebounds and blocking the shots of the best players in the league. I couldn’t perform like that on the court without the bounce I get from NIKE athletic shoes,” says LeBron James.
👉 Testimonial
*Explanation:* A well-known athlete (LeBron James) endorses the product, claiming it helped him succeed. This uses a celebrity's credibility to influence consumer opinion.

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3. I’m just an average person, who doesn’t have money to throw away on a pair of athletic shoes that won’t last as long as it takes to run around the block. GymFans athletic shoes combine quality and style with a price I can afford.
👉 Plain Folks
*Explanation:* The speaker presents themselves as an ordinary person, appealing to the average consumer by emphasizing affordability and practicality. This builds trust by showing the product is accessible and relatable.

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4. I wanted to make the tennis team, but I wasn’t making any progress. Then I bought a pair of NIKE shoes. In no time, my game improved dramatically. Before I knew it, I was on the team!
👉 Transfer / Cause and Effect (or False Cause)
*Explanation:* This suggests that buying Nike shoes directly caused improvement in performance. It transfers success to the product, implying a causal relationship that may not actually exist. This is a classic example of false cause or transfer—linking personal achievement to the product.

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5. ADIDAS is outdated and for old folks. Come over to Nike, where the shoes teach you to fly.
👉 Name Calling / Card Stack (or Negative Stereotyping)
*Explanation:* This attacks a competitor (Adidas) by calling it "outdated" and "for old folks," while exaggerating Nike's benefits ("teach you to fly"). It uses name calling to discredit the rival and card stacking (presenting only positive aspects of one brand and negative ones of another).

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6. Be beautiful again. Make your face look ten years younger and get the attention of the man of your dreams.
👉 Emotional Appeal (Pathos)
*Explanation:* This ad appeals to emotions—specifically desires for beauty, youth, and romance—to persuade the audience. It uses emotional language to create a sense of longing and aspiration.

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7. 8 out of 10 basketball players recommend NIKE shoes. Buy now!
👉 Statistics / Bandwagon
*Explanation:* This uses a statistic (8 out of 10) to suggest popularity and approval. It also plays into the bandwagon effect—suggesting that because most players choose Nike, you should too. However, it may be misleading if the sample isn't representative.

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Summary of Propaganda Techniques Used:

| Number | Technique |
|--------|----------------------|
| 1 | Bandwagon |
| 2 | Testimonial |
| 3 | Plain Folks |
| 4 | False Cause / Transfer |
| 5 | Name Calling / Card Stacking |
| 6 | Emotional Appeal |
| 7 | Statistics / Bandwagon |

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