Name calling
a device to make us form a judgment without examining the evidence on
which it should be based. Here the propagandist appeals to our hate and fear.
Glittering Generalities
a device by which the propagandist identifies his program with virtue by the use of "virtue" words.
Transfer
a device by which the propagandist carries over the authority, sanction, and
prestige of something we respect and revere to something he would have us accept.
Testimonial
device employed to make us accept anything by means of a statement or
letter from prominent people with the expectation that the crowd will follow the leader.
Plain Folks
device used primarily by politicians to win our confidence by appearing to be
common people like us.
Citing Statistics
device employed by the propagandist when he tells us only part of the truth.
Band Wagon
device used to make us follow the crowd, to accept the propagandist's
program en masse.
Either/or fallacy
device used when there are only two positions in a given argument or
only two approaches to a given situation.
Faulty Cause and Effect
device used to suggest that because B follows A, A must cause B.
Emotional Appeal
device plays on deep-seated fears; warns the audience that disaster will result if they do not follow a particular course of action.