Michigan League of Academic Games

Propaganda
By Jimmy Mathis

Propaganda is more than a game it is a tool that we will use for the rest of our lives. Propaganda, by definition, is the dissemination of ideas and information for the purpose of inducing or intensifying specific attitudes and actions. In other words “What can I say, show or give to you so that you will see things my way”. Almost everything we see, or hear, or say or read contains some form of propaganda. After some initial study and learning the definitions of the techniques, Propaganda can become the easiest game you will play.

In this, and future articles, I will try to simplify some of the harder techniques, provide practice, give you tips and make you a much better propagandist. Lets get started.

1. Obtain a Technique Card and the rules. You may also go to The Propaganda Page, link where you will find instructions on how the game is played and scored. There is also an excellent primer written by Rod Beard for sections A-C-D and E.
2. Learn one section at a time.
3. Practice with a buddy. Ask each other sample questions and explain why you picked that technique.
4. Learn how to listen to every word in a sentence because in every section there are techniques, which are closely related.
Example: Vagueness and Ambiguity, in section B, basically mean the same thing. The difference lies in that ambiguous words have two interpretations and vague words have many. We will discuss this in detail later.
5. Write questions. At first you may really suck at it but in time your understanding will improve.

My next article will cover the secrets in sections A and B and THERE WILL BE A QUIZ.