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Following are the various types of propaganda tools and techniques that can be used individually or in combination with others for the purpose of influencing public opinion using the dynamics of propaganda. There are various reasons behind the need to influence public opinion, the most significant reasons being politics and marketing. Check out the following propaganda techniques and examples to get a strong grasp of this subject.

Ad Hominem
This method follows the path of attacking the opponent instead of his arguments. Character assaults, defamation antics, etc. are examples of propaganda technique that follows the principle of ad hominem. This is also known as name calling.

Ad Nauseum
Repeat and repeat yet again – that’s the maxim of the ad nauseum technique of propaganda. Continuous reinforcement of an idea tends to result in the target audience subconsciously accepting it as the truth or the right thing. This influences their judgment in favor of the propagandist.

Testimonials
Citing popular and dignified figures to strengthen the premises of an idea or an argument is most often used to move the target audience to support or initiate a desired course of action. This propaganda technique aims to exploit the public’s appeal to authority of certain prominent figures in certain specific fields. For instance, beauty and cosmetic products marketers often get movie stars and super models to testify the benefits and effectiveness of their commercial offerings.

Appeal to Fear
Instill panic in the masses against a certain idea, object, situation or person and reinforce it such that their emotional feathers are significantly ruffled – this makes for a great propaganda technique for turning the masses against an opponent and gaining their favor. For instance, the book Germany Must Perish by Theodore Kaufman was used by the Nazis as a propaganda against Jews, framing them for plotting against the nation, to instill mass fear and hatred for the Semitic populace.

Appeal to Prejudice
The use of emotionally saturated and sentimentally appealing expressions to sway the public opinion has been used as a propaganda technique since ancient times. Many wars have been initiated and much blood has been shed on account of tireless propaganda that appealed to the prejudice of the people. For instance, the treatment of the Jews during the Nazi era and the silence, sometimes support, of the non-Jewish populace over the atrocious injustices prove the success of this propaganda technique. Glittering generalities, flag waving and virtue words also come under this category.

Bandwagon
Most of us harbor a herd-mentality and it is this since they do so, so shall I psychology that the propagandist seeks to exploit. By making it appear that the majority of the people are going for a certain course of action, the propagandist impliedly nudges the individual audience to join the crowd.

Plain Folks
This is a widely used propaganda technique employed by marketers and advertisers. In marketing and advertising parlance, this propaganda technique is known as slice-of-life advertising. In such a propaganda, common people are depicted as following a certain course of action, implying that this is only right and practical. Vaccination and inoculation drives are often publicized using slice-of-life advertising.

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