Propaganda Films of WWII

Sara L. (United States of America)
This vocabulary list is for a U.S. History unit on propaganda films of World War II.
10 words 1 learner

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Full list of words from this list:

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  1. propaganda
    information that is spread to promote some cause
    Three bloggers were given jail sentences of between four and 12 years in September 2012 on charges of spreading anti-government propaganda.
    In our context, it is information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a particular political cause or point of view.
  2. cinematography
    the art of filming a movie
    Bradford Young's stunning cinematography is like a moving canvas, with exteriors drenched in downbeat dark greens and golds.
    In our context, cinematography is the way a filmmaker uses visual elements to create meaning.
  3. convention
    something regarded as a normative example
    By current marketing conventions, the self-taught Mr. Black is probably producing “outsider art.”
    In our context, a convention is a standard technique used in propaganda materials.
  4. everyman
    the ordinary person
    Farrell plays an everyman living in the future after a chemical war has destroyed most of the earth.
    In our context, the everyman represents the average American.
  5. bandwagon effect
    the phenomenon of a popular trend attracting even greater popularity
    As Barack Obama found during his US presidential campaign, when it comes to generating a "bandwagon effect", the internet is hard to beat. BBC (Feb 10, 2010)
    In our context, the bandwagon effect is a technique used by propaganda films to increase the popularity of a particular viewpoint.
  6. slogan
    a favorite saying of a sect or political group
    He is campaigning under the slogan: "Change Russia, Start with Moscow."
    In our context, a slogan is a brief, striking catchphrase used repetitively to influence people.
  7. testimonial
    something that serves as evidence
    On Sunday, one private satellite network in Egypt was running commercials of citizen testimonials proclaiming as much.
    In our context, a testimonial is a first-person account that uses the speaker's fame or expertise to verify the truth or importance of the message.
  8. flag waving
    an appeal intended to arouse patriotic emotions
    But flag waving and the bursting forth of sentimental oratory mean nothing, really. MacQuarrie, Hector
    In our context, flag waving is a propaganda technique used to convince the viewer that agreement with a certain point of view will make one more patriotic.
  9. stereotype
    a conventional or formulaic conception or image
    “Trophy Wife” suggests that “former party girl” Kate is a stereotype.
    In our context, this technique attempts to arouse prejudices in an audience by labeling the object of the propaganda campaign as something the target audience fears, hates, loathes, or finds undesirable.
  10. sensationalism
    the journalistic use of shocking subject matter
    Like putting swastikas on book jackets, it's sensationalism that moves the product. Slate (Jul 27, 2012)
    In our context, sensationalism is a technique that uses specific words and phrases with strong emotional implications to influence the audience.
Created on Tue Oct 29 11:01:00 EDT 2013 (updated Tue Oct 29 14:49:23 EDT 2013)

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