Here is a page that needs to be posted far and wide in this silly political season.
http://library.thinkquest.org/C0111500/proptech.htm
This page is good for everything from revealing the truth in Commercials, exposing political rhetoric to seeing religious sermonizing for the propaganda it can truly be. Wherever there is anyone who is seeking to persuade another that their views are the right view, these techniques need to be reviewed.
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Propaganda is the art of gossip. Whatever gets things going on the grapevine tends to work in messaging.
The underpinning of these communication strategies is emotionalism. The message asks a question or makes a statement that appeals on a superficial to strong feelings about something. It is rare to find advertisements that sell based on the merits of a given product or idea.
To muse is to think To a-muse is to not think. Hence propaganda (advertisements fall in that category) rely on the listener to act without thinking through as they react to the strong emotions evoked by the message. Basic psychology at work.
Amazing that something so simple goes over our heads so easily.