Lesson 2: Propaganda in Action

Reflect and Respond

Directions: Look at the “Buy War Stamps and Bonds” poster without context and observe it silently for 30–45 seconds.

Look at the image. Record your thinking about the image in the Reflect and Respond graphic organizer using the “My thoughts and responses” and “Questions I have” boxes. Think about the following questions:

• What details about this poster immediately stand out to you?

• What emotions does this image bring up for you?

• What message do you think the creator wants you, the viewer, to understand?

• How could a message like this potentially influence people’s behavior?

Propaganda Background

Read the Essential Question from Investigation 1 that was shared in the previous lesson:

• Investigation 1: How do propaganda and rhetorical techniques influence what people believe and how they act?

First discuss propaganda, then learn about rhetorical techniques later in the lesson.

• Propaganda is the information or messages created to influence what people think or how they act, often by appealing to emotions rather than presenting all the facts.

Learn that propaganda is created for a purpose and a specific audience.

• Purpose is the reason a message is created, usually to influence what people think, feel, or do.

• Audience is the specific group of people the message is meant to reach or persuade.

Turn-and-Talk

Observe the “Buy War Stamps and Bonds” poster again and look back at your notes in the graphic organizer. The caption for this image is:

• During World War II, the American government promoted the sale of war stamps and bonds to support the war effort abroad.

Discuss the question below with a partner and add more notes to your organizer.

• How is this poster an example of propaganda? Use the words propaganda, purpose, and audience in your response.

Part A: Explore Rhetorical Techniques

Rhetorical Techniques in Propaganda

Directions: Read the Essential Question from Investigation 1 again:

• Investigation 1: How do propaganda and rhetorical techniques influence what people believe and how they act?

Learn what rhetorical techniques are and add the term to your Personal Dictionary.

• Rhetorical techniques are strategic uses of language or imagery intended to persuade an audience.

Learn that there are many types of rhetorical techniques and look at the list of techniques:

emotional appeal: targets feelings such as pride, anger, hope, or sympathy to influence decisions

fear appeal: warns of danger or negative consequences to pressure people into acting

bandwagon: encourages people to join in because “everyone else is doing it”

cult of personality: creates an idealized and/or heroic public image of a person who then advocates for a specific cause or position

name-calling: uses negative labels or insults to create distrust or dislike of a person or group

idealism: connects a message to strong values like freedom, fairness, honor, or patriotism to inspire support

scapegoating: unfairly blames a person or group for a problem to shift responsibility away from others

symbolism: uses images, colors, or objects to represent bigger ideas or messages

Turn-and-Talk

Observe the “Buy War Stamps and Bonds” again and discuss the questions below with a partner.

• Which rhetorical techniques do you see used in this propaganda image, and how are they used to influence the audience?

• What points of view do you think are missing or could conflict with the ideas in this poster?

Discuss which rhetorical technique you think is most powerful and explain why.

• Discuss with your partner which rhetorical technique you think is most powerful. Be sure to support your thinking.

Part B: Analyze Propaganda for Impact

Think-Pair-Write-Share

Directions: Work with your partner to analyze the propaganda poster to record the purpose, audience, rhetorical techniques, and impact on people’s actions and beliefs.

• Purpose:

• Intended audience:

• Rhetorical Techniques used:

• Impact on People’s Beliefs and Actions:

Think-Pair-Share

Directions: Discuss the following question with a partner using the Think-Pair-Share routine:

• Based on the poster you analyzed, how does the messaging use rhetorical techniques to shape what people believe or how they act, and why might this purpose be effective? How might leaders use persuasive imagery like this to maintain control of an audience or motivate action?