Public Speaking: How Public Speakers Influence the Population With Propaganda
As public speakers we have tremendous influence over the behavior, opinions and decisions of people. When our words are a vehicle for propaganda, they can become dangerous but this isn’t always the case. Public speakers have used propaganda to influence people in topics ranging from joining the war effort to stop smoking to beautifying the nation.
Originating from an old English term “to 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 anxieties and panic in the general population.
• Bandwagon
This is a method of persuading people to do something by telling them others are doing it.
• Testimonial
One of the most common forms of propaganda in the public speaking realm, testimonials use the words … Read More