Dystopian Propaganda
Influencing Thought & Changing Cultures
What is Propaganda?
- It is communication aimed at influencing the attitudes of a community toward some cause or position.
- It is often biased or misleading in nature.
- Propaganda is information that is not impartial and used primarily to influence an audience and further an agenda, often by presenting facts selectively (perhaps lying by omission) to encourage a particular synthesis, or using loaded messages to produce an emotional rather than a rational response to the information presented.
How Long has Propaganda been Around?
Using propaganda in speech has been around since Mesopotamia. However, it gained popularity during the Civil War and WWI, when paper and ink became more accessible.
What Does Propaganda Look Like?
Spoken Word
The key to propaganda is emotional communication. Hitler used repetition and glittering generalities to gather crowds of supporters before and during WWII.
Pamplets
Pamphlets can be handed out and given to many people very quickly. Many pamphlets use the Bandwagon and Black - and - White propaganda techniques.
Pictures / Posters
In recent history, posters have become more popular. Some of the techniques used in poster propaganda are fear, and snob appeal.
Propaganda & Dystopia
In dystopian novels, the government (or corporations) use propaganda techniques to control, manipulate, or destroy.
What are ways that the government (or corporations) controls the people in your dystopian novel?