Propaganda Techniques

Although initially this book was intended for use by teachers and students, I soon realized it would be useful for people in many other fields. Journalists, business people, sales people, police, counselors, advertisers, politicians, medical personnel and lawyers are just a few of the groups that would find this book useful. General readers would also find it stimulating and provocative.

The eighty-nine selected techniques explained in the book are divided into seven sections;

Faulty Logic
Diversion and Evasion
Appealing to the Emotions
Using Falsehoods and Trickery
Playing on Human Behavioral Tendencies, Mental Capacities and Processes Speaking or Writing Styles Reason or Common Sense

The exercises at the end of the book will help the reader gain practice in using the propaganda techniques. The first exercise is for simplification of a persuasive message. A complex message loses effectiveness because most people lack the stamina to wade through a great deal of information to get to the point. The exercise for simplification calls for writing a summary of the Declaration of Independence so that the document will be reduced to a few paragraphs while maintaining the perceived intent of the author.

This work should be very useful to all those trying to develop critical thinking skills.

---

All Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review:
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

there are better books on the subject, 2007-09-14
This is very basic and simplistic text. It could be useful, but there are much better books on the subject. This one seems rather disorganized and poorly explained. I would agree with one reviewer that this looks like a Word document turned into a book. I would add that the whole project looks like a rush job without much planning and thought. As the other reviewer I would also recommend an excellent book by Pratkanis and Aronson The Age of Propaganda. Similar price, but much better and much more sophisticated. Further, if one is interested in logical fallacies, there is this old classic by Nicholas Capaldi The Art of Deception. Finally, you could consider "Politics and Propaganda: Weapons of Mass Seduction" (this one is a bit more difficult).


6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

Informative, but designed for high school, 2007-02-23
I have been interested in propaganda and persuasion for some time now, so when I learned about this book I was very excited. The text itself is a brief overview of 88 or so propaganda techniques. Each is described in about 3 lines, and include an example. The explanations are clear, but not in depth. The work is suitable for someone seeking an encyclopedia-style knowledge.

The formatting appears to be a Word Document that has been put straight to press, untouched.

All in all, if you're looking for a succinct crash course, this may work. If you're truly looking for information, look to Age of Propaganda.


7 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

Agustus Reincarnated, 2006-02-04
This book is only for those who have been exploited all others need not apply.Propaganda is a method which requires skill,and a knowledge of human nature.Brainwashing is a member of this field.To change your mind by any means to satisfy the end.The writer of the decription in the outline for this book should be commended.I have know knowledge or skill using propaganda,so forgive me if what follows is not a form of propaganda.To alter thinking,to reverse belief using hate,passion,association,etc as a means.We will not go into a recession or depression soon,or will we.Housing market,do not worry,oil is forever nuclear is good the Chain said so.Aircompressed engine,south Korea,and France,patten,hydrogen motorbike Japan,not now,what are they going to do with oil profit,not alternative energy.After the oil is gone then alternative energy in the mean time you are going to lose everything you have.King of the world,with elites of the world N.W.O.Do not vote 2006-2008 if you do not vote right,you probably will not need to again.no mind no matter.Nothing that has been said is true,it is a joke.

The united states of Isarel.Democracy is never used as a ploy to factionalize a nation ,and then make it a slave.Democratic socialism is no good because it regulates the coporations,and gives social benefits to the people.In France they work 35 hrs a week,maybe 6 weeks vacation,they have strong unions,that is why France is not a good example.Capitalism is good,for example free trade,globilism,New World ORDER are not the same,but are the same.No rules,is good for business,and the rich do not have to pay tax,only the others,unions are no good,socialized medical,and full employment are no good unless slave labor is used.They do not want to work,we have to have slave labor.Open boarders are good so we can be third world,that way business can make more money,why would anyone be opposed to this.You are not a herd of cattle are you.Bush said that free trade is good,we will stagnate without it which means the elite will lose power.The elite are not trying to go back to before the american and french revolutions.They are not trying to make us slaves.The constitution and bill of rights are no good,the patriot act should be permanent.The federal Reserve which is not federal does not expand and constrict the economy creating inflation,recession,depression to get back all your assets that you got on credit.22percent or 50 percent is okay for the bank to charge.The centrals banks world wide are not connected with the bank of england and the federal reserve.Greenspan will not be an adviser for the bank of england.The curency of the world is not manipulated.Since the ferderal reserve was founded the dollar has lost 92percent of its value.One man and his family may control 95 percent of the worlds gold, and Maybe half the wealth of the world.The banks do not own countries and their governmentThe above statements are not true unless you want to believe them.They are relative and not absolute.History does not repeat itself,we cannot learn from the past.Andrew Jackson said the bankers in america were a bunch of vipers he was crazy.There are no cycles in life.a nation is not like a person and goes through same process.Rome will live forever.Might is right.The U.S. will use hegemony by military force to control the world,and the energy of the world,and will blow the world up rather than except an option.This statement is a lie,the U.S. is the most democratic country in the world,and would never violate the forth geneva convention,or change or denie resolutions by the U.N.What U.N.who owns it?Iran will not be attact in march 2006.Why do they want to be independent.It is okay for Israel to have weapons of mass destruction,over 200, they are gods people.The Death of the jews under Hitler was terrible,but how many none jews did Hitler kill in prison in same period.Stalin, how many.Cambodia 3 million.Africa how many.The jews have suffered more than any other people,so they can do what they want.Pollard is a good man who wanted to help Isarel.The constitution and bill of rights are no good.Enron is good the C.E.O.only made a mistake like others do.4-1-K,you do not need social security.Bush said free trade is good,immigration is good,open boarders are good.Third world is good if you like it,you can learn.Out source everything we can move to China.Service industry is good,no unions,long hours,no benefits,no hope,why do people say this.General Haig said people had to work if they wanted more,they would have to work for it,maybe fight for it,Less have a manatory draft,give the boys some relief,all americans are patriots.Most would rather fight than make love.No one is brainwashed you have to have big cars,houses,use lots of oil.You have to let people see your name brand items.You have to think the way you do,you are not conditioned.You could go to another country and speak their lanquage,and be like them without being re=conditioned,you can do anything you want,you are not a habit,robot,you knew who your father and mother were before you were born.You have free will,repetition does not effect you,you do not think like other people.You know everything,and can do and be anything you want.You are amazing.

A student at westpoint said that he was approach by Agustus,Agustus said I am going to do it agan with a smile and then vanished into thin air.The student says now he believes in reincarnation.The student said he did not know what Agustus ment.

Forty percent love our country and its institutions.The address to the nation 2006 shows how much love there is for things to stay the same.The american people can sleep soundly knowing that they are in good hands,homeland security is awake,and very professional,The insurance companies will take care of you.How could anyone be unhappy,the world is love.

Price is accurate as of the date/time indicated. Prices and product availability are subject to change. Any price displayed on the Amazon website at the time of purchase will govern the sale of this product.