Propaganda: A Literary Device

Etymology of Propaganda

• Latin Roots: Derived from the Latin word propagare, Propaganda means “to spread” or “to propagate.”
• Historical Usage: It was originally used in ancient Rome to refer to the spreading of information, beliefs, or ideas.
• Catholic Church: Church adopted and used the term in the 17th century for the spread of Catholicism.
• Modern Connotations: Evolved in the 20th century to describe biased or manipulative information dissemination, particularly in politics and ideology.
• Contemporary Usage: Commonly used to describe communication strategies aimed at shaping public perception.

Meanings of Propaganda

Topic	Explanation
Definition:	It refers to the systematic dissemination of information, ideas, or opinions, often to shape or manipulate public opinion or behavior.
Variety of Contexts:	It is used in a variety of contexts, including political campaigns, advertising, and public relations.
Positive and Negative Propaganda:	It could be both positive and negative, depending on the intent and content of the message being disseminated.
	– Positive: It aims to inspire and motivate people towards a particular cause or belief.
	– Negative: It aims to discredit opposing ideas or groups.
Controversial History:	Its use has been a controversial topic throughout history.
	– Critics: Argue that it can be used to manipulate and control people.
	– Proponents: Argue that it can be used for positive purposes, such as promoting social change or raising awareness about important issues.

Propaganda in Grammar

• Grammatical Rule:
• Grammatically, it is a singular noun.
• Verb Agreement:
  • However, it takes a plural verb in English.
• Collective Noun:
  • This is because it is a collective noun, meaning that it refers to a group of things or ideas.
• Plural Noun in Verb Agreement:
  • As such, it is treated as a plural noun in terms of verb agreement.
• Example:
  • For example, we would say “The propaganda campaigns are designed to influence public opinion” rather than “The propaganda campaigns is designed to influence public opinion.”

Definition of Propaganda

Propaganda as a literary device refers to the use of language and storytelling techniques to manipulate or influence the reader’s opinions, attitudes, or behaviors towards a particular cause or belief. It often involves the deliberate use of emotional appeals, persuasive language, and one-sided arguments to promote a particular agenda or ideology.

Types of Propaganda

There are several types of propaganda, including:

Type	Explanation	Example
Bandwagon propaganda	This type seeks to persuade people to do or believe something simply because others are doing it or believe it.	An advertisement stating, “Join the millions who already trust our product” to encourage people to follow the crowd.
Testimonial propaganda	This type uses endorsements from well-known individuals or experts to persuade people to adopt a particular belief or behavior.	A commercial featuring a famous athlete endorsing a sports drink to convince viewers it’s the best choice.
Transfer propaganda	This type of propaganda associates a person or product with positive or negative images or emotions to influence people’s opinions.	A political campaign ad showing a candidate with a national flag in the background to evoke patriotism and trust.
Fear propaganda	This type of propaganda uses fear or the threat of negative consequences to persuade people to adopt a particular belief or behavior.	A public service announcement warning of the dangers of smoking by showing graphic images of lung diseases.
Name-calling propaganda	This type of propaganda uses negative labels or derogatory terms to discredit an opposing viewpoint or person.	A political debate where one candidate continuously calls their opponent “untrustworthy” to undermine their credibility.
Plain folks propaganda	This type of propaganda portrays a person or group as being just like the average person, in order to gain trust and support.	A campaign advertisement featuring a politician in casual clothing, interacting with ordinary citizens to appear relatable.
Glittering generalities propaganda	This type uses broad and vague statements with positive connotations to promote a particular belief or behavior.	An advertisement stating, “Experience the future of technology” to create excitement and interest in a new product.

Common Examples of Propaganda

• Political Advertising:
  • Political campaigns often use its techniques to persuade voters to support their candidate or party.
  • This can include endorsements from well-known individuals, testimonials from ordinary people, and negative advertising against opponents.
• Product Advertising:
  • Advertising for products and services often uses its techniques to promote sales.
  • This can include glittering generalities, testimonials from satisfied customers, and transfer propaganda, where the product is associated with positive emotions or values.
• News Media:
  • News stories and media coverage use it particularly in the form of bias or selective reporting.
  • This can include using loaded language, ignoring certain facts, or presenting a one-sided view of an issue.
• Social Media:
  • Social media platforms also spreads it, including fake news, misinformation, and manipulated images or videos.
  • This can be done by individuals or by organized groups with a particular agenda.
• Education:
  • Educational materials, such as textbooks, also contain it particularly in areas such as history or social studies.
  • This can include presenting a one-sided view of events or using language that promotes a particular political or ideological viewpoint.

Suggested Readings

1. Chomsky, Noam, and Edward S. Herman. Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media. Pantheon, 1988.
2. Ellul, Jacques. Propaganda: The Formation of Men’s Attitudes. Vintage Books, 1973.
3. Miller, Arthur H. The Assault on Privacy: Computers, Data Banks, and Dossiers. University of Michigan Press, 1971.
4. Orwell, George. 1984. Signet Classic, 1949.
5. Lasswell, Harold D. Propaganda Technique in the World War. MIT Press, 1971.
6. Tuchman, Barbara W. The Guns of August. Ballantine Books, 1962.
7. Arendt, Hannah. The Origins of Totalitarianism. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1951.
8. Postman, Neil. Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business. Penguin Books, 1986.
9. Zinn, Howard. A People’s History of the United States. Harper Perennial, 2005.