Techniques of Propaganda and Persuasion

by Magedah E. Shabo

Expand your students' critical thinking skills with this introduction to some of the most popular techniques and uses of propaganda. With more than 100 classic illustrations and examples, this book will teach readers to recognize propaganda in many forms. Each chapter includes end-of-unit discussion questions that will spark conversations in any classroom.

Note from the This is a classroom edition for students. Teacher Editions are available from the publisher, but are sold only to schools and teachers. Call us toll-free at (800) 932-4593 to order.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, History, Psychology

160 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2008

About the author

Magedah Shabo is an author, editor, and English language instructor. Her works are taught in secondary and post-secondary classrooms across the United States and have been featured on reading lists for courses at Harvard, George Mason, Fordham, and American University.

Reviews

[Gabrielė Bužinskaitė · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite having the ugliest cover I’ve ever seen (what is happening there?), this book is one of my best picks.

It's the epitome of the cliché advice not to judge a book by its cover. The cover is so unprofessional I almost discredited the author as such.

Almost.

It's exactly what I was searching for; propaganda techniques are explained simply with real-life examples.

The author made me understand the strategies so well that I immediately started noticing their use around me. I see the bandwagon, the card stacking, the assertions—I know what you're trying to do.

A life-changer.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an easy-to-get-through primer on propaganda techniques and uses that breaks down a complex topic into digestible, clearly defined parts. Though the book may be an oversimplification of some aspects of propaganda, as an introduction, it serves its purpose and uses clear and interesting examples to drive the points home.

[Dara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical, with ready-to-use activities. I appreciated the social justice angle.

[Mika Auramo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magedah Shabo on koostanut työryhmineen oivallisen tietokirjan propagandatekniikoista ja suostuttelutavoista, joista ei myöskään argumentointivirheet eivätkä sen kaltaiset vippaskonstit puutu, kun meihin yritetään vaikuttaa mitä moninaisimmin keinoin 24/7.

Lukuja on peräti parisen tusinaa, ja kirjan päätteeksi on lisätty vielä harjoituksia itseopiskelua varten. Median kuluttajan kannattaa pysähtyä hetkeksi miettimään, miten meitä pommitetaan mustamaalaamalla poliitikkoja, harrastamalla korttien poimintaa pakasta, kuten natsikorttien tempaisuja. Vankkureille (bandwagon effect) on hyvä mennä muun porukan mukana, eikä tarvitse ajatella omilla aivoilla mitään.

Tyhjiä hokemia ja latteuksia riittää, ja ne saadaan kytkettyä hämäriin eteerisiin arvoihin, eikä väitteitä tarvitse perustella mitenkään. Riittää kun luotetaan auktoriteettiin, ja niin kuin on nähty, koronavuosien aikana pelolla tehostetaan vaikutusta, ja jokin ”jumalainen” kulttijohtaja on valmis nousemaan kaiken arvostelun yläpuolelle.

Varsinkin vihan lietsomisessa jotain väestönosaa tai kansakuntia kohtaan propagandalla on erittäin suuri vaikutus. Dehumanisointi ja ihmisoikeuksien loukkaaminen on otettu entistä voimallisemmin käyttöön nykyäänkin, kun totalitaristisin pakkokeinoin on saatu ihmiset pakotettua länsimaissakin työpaikkansa menettämisen uhalla ottamaan tehottomia koronarokotteita tai kun varakkaiden venäläisen omaisuutta on takavarikoitu niin kuin kolmannen valtakunnan aikana juutalaisen pankkiirien ja porvarien varallisuutta. Shabo tietääkin, että tämänkaltaisessa toiminnassa on tarkoitus tuhota kokonainen väestöryhmä tai kansakunta, jollainen on vuodesta 2022 kohdistunut venäläiseen eliittiin ja tavalliseen kadunmieheen mammuttimaisten pakotetoimien saattelemana.

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for use with a class due to reading level and practical application of propaganda analysis techniques.

[Sky · Rating 4 out of 5]

You’d think that someone writing an entire book on propaganda and persuasion would put more effort into the cover. The one here is so unappealing it almost undermines the credibility of the author at first glance. Fortunately, the content inside makes up for it.

The book explains common propaganda techniques in a clear, accessible way, using plenty of real-life examples. It is divided into two main sections. The first introduces eleven of the most widely used techniques, while the second looks at the applications both positive and negative of propaganda and provides tools for critically evaluating persuasive arguments.

It is clearly designed as a classroom edition, with each chapter ending in discussion questions intended to spark conversation. There is even a short test at the end to check how much you have retained. Still, I think it works just as well for self-study or even a book club discussion.

One thing worth noting is that the author does not draw a line between propaganda and marketing. In her view, they are essentially the same thing. Some of the techniques she describes are, in fact, just common marketing techniques.

All in all, it’s a solid book that gives a clear and useful overview of the topic. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for an accessible introduction to propaganda. While it’s neither deep nor groundbreaking, I found it useful as a refresher and appreciated the practical examples.

[Guilherme Smee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Techniques Of Propaganda And Persuasion é um livro bastante interessante do ponto de vista que traz de uma forma bastante didática essas formas e técnicas de propaganda e persuasão. Ele também a cada capítulo traz um resumo de cada conceito e completa com alguns exercícios para poder fazer a identificação dessas características em peça de propaganda. A primeira parte do livro nomeia algumas das técnicas de propaganda e persuasão das massas. A segunda parte do livro traz as ações que são feitas por trás dessas técnicas e como elas são usadas para convencer alguém de um classe de ideias pré-organizadas ou ideologias são formadas. Na terceira e última parte do livro temos vários exercícios somados àqueles realizados em cada capítulo, com um texto persuasivo para ser complementado. Techniques Of Propaganda And Persuasion de Magedah E. Shabo é um livro bastante didático, mas não no sentido pejorativo da palavra e sim que funciona como uma ferramenta para ensinar pessoas, alunos e interessados em propaganda.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ordered Shabo's book as a companion for another text featuring exercises for critically reading non-fiction. I anticipate using "Techniques" as a grounding resource to acquaint students with the tools of propaganda writing. The book is organized in a reader-friendly format and provides a range of visual examples for each technique discussed. The examples can be used as jumping-off points for student research identifying other uses of the propaganda tools.

[Nika Olst · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly important book for everyone that uses the internet or watches the news. Understanding the basic mechanisms of propaganda should be taught in elementary schools and this book could be a good starting point.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

The shallow documentation of a vague mind.

Or the vague documentation of a shallow mind.

I can't tell which one.

[Mark Kosobucki · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's interesting to me how the techniques discussed in this book are applied today in a culture dominated by social media. I enjoyed this book a lot.