As public speakers, we have tremendous influence over people’s behavior, opinions, and decisions. When our words are a vehicle for propaganda, they can become dangerous, but this is not always the case. Public speakers have used propaganda to influence people on issues ranging from joining the war effort to quit smoking to beautifying the nation.
Coming from an old English term “propagate”, the purpose of propaganda is to plant ideas to influence attitudes for a specific cause. Public speakers use a variety of techniques.
Here are some common propaganda methods:
• Appeal to fear
This plays on people’s fear, building support by instilling anxiety and panic in the general population.
• Bandwagon
This is a method of persuading people to do something by telling them that others are doing it.
• Testimony
One of the most common forms of propaganda in the field of public speaking, testimonials use the words of a famous person to persuade you.
• Transfer
This technique uses names or photographs of famous people, but not direct quotes.
• Repetition
In this type, the product name is repeated at least four times.
• Emotional words
Public speakers often use words that evoke emotions, making you feel strongly about someone or something.
Propaganda is frequently used in political speeches and in times of war, when it is an especially powerful weapon. Speakers used it to dehumanize and create hatred towards an enemy by creating a false image in the mind. This is accomplished by using offensive or racist terms, avoiding certain words, or making accusations of enemy atrocities.
One of the most notorious propaganda abuses of public speaking contributed to Hitler’s rise to power in Nazi Germany during World War II. British orators employed their own propaganda campaign to portray the Germans as bloodthirsty Huns and murderers, gaining public support for the war. In America, Rosie the Riveter pleaded with women to take on the jobs of men who fought in the war.
Other cases where public speakers used propaganda to influence people.
• It has been used in many public health recommendations, such as getting a flu shot, quitting smoking, and losing weight.
• Political speakers often encourage citizens to participate in a census or elections.
• Advertisers hire speakers to promote their products and get their message across.
Propaganda has left an indelible mark on history. Without a doubt, it is also destined to influence future generations.
