Propaganda Techniques exercise - Free Printable

Let's go through each passage and identify the propaganda technique used. Here are the definitions of the techniques to help guide our analysis:

- Name-calling: Using negative labels or insults to discredit someone or something.
- Testimonial: Using a celebrity or respected person to endorse a product.
- Snob appeal: Suggesting that only elite, sophisticated, or successful people use a product.
- Bandwagon: Encouraging people to do something because "everyone else is doing it."
- Loaded words: Using emotionally charged language to provoke a strong reaction.
- Plain folk: Presenting oneself as an ordinary person to connect with the audience.
- Misuse of statistics: Using false or misleading statistics to support a claim.
- Transfer: Associating a positive image or idea with a product to make it seem better.

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Now let’s analyze each one:

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1) "______ created especially to Tiffany's: ruby earring's set in 24-carat gold. Seventeen thousand dollars. Not just for any woman."

- This suggests the earrings are exclusive and only for a select few — implying only wealthy or elite women can afford them.
- Technique: Snob appeal

✔ Answer: Snob appeal

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2) "______ My opponent claims to be a democrat, but in truth he is a lying, enemy of the people."

- The phrase “lying, enemy of the people” is an insult meant to discredit the opponent.
- Technique: Name-calling

✔ Answer: Name-calling

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3) "______ Sugar is good for you! It provides fast energy, gives you those all-important carbohydrates, and satisfies your craving for sweets."

- This uses positive, emotional language like “good for you,” “important,” and “satisfies” to make sugar seem beneficial, despite potential health concerns.
- Technique: Loaded words

✔ Answer: Loaded words

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4) "______ Everyone is talking about Munchy Pizza! Everyone's raving about Munchy Pizza. Everyone's munching on that Munchy Pizza. Don't you want to munch a Munchy's too?"

- Appeals to the idea that everyone is doing it — creates pressure to join in.
- Technique: Bandwagon

✔ Answer: Bandwagon

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5) "______ Your dream house. 'This deluxe home is just the thing for the discriminating buyers. It has three sumptuous bedrooms, spacious living and dining rooms and an adorable kitchen. It has elegant décor throughout.'"

- Uses terms like “discriminating buyers,” “sumptuous,” “elegant” — suggesting only refined, sophisticated people would buy this house.
- Technique: Snob appeal

✔ Answer: Snob appeal

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6) "______ A suit from Dinmore's Men's Wear is more than a suit. A Dinmore's suit is a possession for the most discriminating, the most tasteful, the most sophisticated, the most successful."

- Again, targets the elite, successful, sophisticated individual — implies only certain people wear it.
- Technique: Snob appeal

✔ Answer: Snob appeal

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7) "______ Yes I won fourteen Olympic medals and they mean a lot to me. But you know what means even more? My bowl of Nutri-Flakes every morning. Nutri-Flakes helped me win these medals. Ask your mom to buy Nutri-Flakes.... The winner's cereal."

- An Olympic athlete (a credible figure) is endorsing a product.
- Technique: Testimonial

✔ Answer: Testimonial

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8) "______ There is a pestilence abroad today, scourge of our youth called comic books. These so-called books fester with sin, violence and every unspeakable abomination known unto humankind."

- Uses harsh, emotional language (“pestilence,” “scourge,” “fester with sin”) to create fear and negativity toward comic books.
- Technique: Loaded words

✔ Answer: Loaded words

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9) "______ Loose weight the way 6 billion Bahamians did. It's the way 3 out of 4 doctors recommend."

- The number “6 billion Bahamians” is absurd (Bahamas population is under 400,000), so it’s clearly fake.
- Also, “3 out of 4 doctors recommend” sounds convincing but may be misleading.
- Technique: Misuse of statistics

✔ Answer: Misuse of statistics

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10) "______ Buy your next car at Crazy Joe's, where everyone gets the best deals around."

- Suggests that everyone is getting great deals, encouraging you to follow the crowd.
- Technique: Bandwagon

✔ Answer: Bandwagon

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✔ Final Answers:

1) Snob appeal
2) Name-calling
3) Loaded words
4) Bandwagon
5) Snob appeal
6) Snob appeal
7) Testimonial
8) Loaded words
9) Misuse of statistics
10) Bandwagon

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