1. Summary “Propaganda Techniques in
Today’s Advertising”
In the article “Propaganda Techniques in Today’s
Advertising”, the writer “Ann McClintock” implies that
the propaganda techniques target all the generations and
are spread throughout the world and will increase in the
future. For this reason, she explains what propaganda is
and explains it by giving a specific definition and
different types of techniques some of which are Card
stacking and Bandwagon. According to her, Card stacking
is a technique that plays on the distortion of facts by half-
true sayings and words that have illusionist meanings. As
an example she gives the shampoo that removes dandruff
…According to McClintock card stacking is used by
advertisers to grab the customer’s attention toward a
product at the expense of the other. On the other hand, she
talks about Bandwagon, which is another technique of
propaganda that affects people psychologically and
creates a pressure on people who do not want to be
different. She uses the saying “everyone is doing it why
don’t you?” to strengthen her definition. As an example,
she gives the Pepsi ad that lures customers. If you do not
drink Pepsi then you are left out of the Pepsi generation.
In the conclusion, the writer asks herself why do these
propaganda techniques work? She says that people should
think clearly and examining the adverts will help in
2. finding the good and worthwhile adverts from the bad
ones.
"Propaganda Techniques in Today's Advertising"
summary
In this story, "Propaganda Techniques in Today's
Advertising"
In this story, "Propaganda Techniques in Today's
Advertising" talks about adults and children being
seduced. It also states that they are being brainwashed, by
absorbing their messages and images into there
subconscious. Propaganda is a systematic effort to
influence people’s opinions, to win them over to a certain
view or side. They want people to believe the messages
being sent. In propaganda war any tactic is considered
fair. There are seven types of propaganda techniques
used. There is name-calling, glittering generalities,
transfer, testimonial, plain folks, card stacking, and
bandwagon. Name-calling is negatively words charged at
opposing side or competitor. Glittering generalities
surround their products with attractive or slippery words
around there products. Transfer improves their product by
associating with a symbol that people respect. Testimonial
capitalizes on the admiration people have for a celebrity
3. for the product to shine more brightly. Plain Folks
approaches by saying, “Buy me or Vote for me”. Card
Stacking means that one side may suppress or distort
evidence. Bandwagon advertisers pressure “Everyone else
does it, why don’t you”. Some propaganda sends a
truthful, worthwhilemessage.
This can kind of go both ways. But you are either against
or for it. Advertising can be very funny to the consumer.
Other times it can be out right rude in consumer’s eyes.
Since propaganda can send both positive and negative
messages to consumers, the consumers deicide whether
they want it or not. There is not one person who is the
same. People have different opinions on what advertisers
have to say. With the different ways of using propaganda,
it can narrow down on what age group it is trying to
convince.
APR
30
4. Propaganda Techniques in Today’s Advertising
Summary
In Ann McClintock’s “Propaganda Techniques in Today’s Advertising” she brings up various
propaganda techniques that have been widely used since the Industrial Revolution. She describes
seven primary tools used to manipulate the masses. The techniques are as follows name calling,
glittering generalities, transfer, testimonial, plain folks, card Stacking, and bandwagon, Whether to
gain a vote or increased sales theses are effective and underhanded attacks on an unsuspecting
population. One of the techniques employed is Name calling. “Name calling is a propaganda tactic in
which negatively charged names are hurled against the opposing side or competitor.” It is used to
make people feel like the competitors product is lesser or inferior. Another is the testimonial. “The
Testimonial is one of advertisers’ most-loved and most-used propaganda techniques. Similar to the
transfer device, the testimonial capitalizes on the admiration people have for a celebrity, to make the
product shine more brightly - even though the celebrity is not an expert on the product being sold.”
This is surprisingly effective despite not actually proving the usefulness of the product.
Response
Advertisement is an effective tool to get your product noticed. But advisements are very annoying
and intrusive. In today’s world we are barraged with so many ads that’s it’s hard to even notice them
anymore. By saturating every moment of a person’s waking life with ads to buy garbage you have
begun to make people immune. The ads lose their effectiveness and people just ignore them. So
what do advertisers do instead of making a truly better product the advertisers make more annoying
ads. For example, click through screens or pop ups. This is in addition to the giant billboards and
flashing signs. Enough is enough. Respect your customer and they will return in kind. Abuse their
eyes and ears and some will figure out your scam.
