Propaganda and Politics

Propaganda and Politics

Words may be spoken with equal intelligence, feeling, and interest by two speakers, from the one speaker their effect is pleasing and attractive, but from the other, the influence is magnetic- transfixes, propels, mesmerizes and impels the life and actions of those who hear and see. This force is a vital principle dependent on organization, and may in a measure be cultivated or neglected- exercised knowingly or otherwise, and used for good or ill. As quoted in Huxley’s essay “Propaganda and Dictatorship” “Hitler was the greatest demagogue in history”. The word “demagogue” defined as “a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power.” This statement is obvious considering the level of success that Hitler had on the Germans for his own personal gain. Hitler’s strategies ranged from domination, intimidation and fear, to genetically standardizing people to perform their subordinate functions to move the masses.

As described in “Speaker’s Guide Book” (Dan O’Hair, Rob Stewart and Hannah Rubenstein) “The first quality a good speaker is to have is the ability to know his or her audience”. Knowing your audience means to be able to tap into their psyche, needs, concerns and what matters most to them. In his acceptance speech, at the Democratic National Convention, Barack Obama identified his audiences; first as the middle class, then as a group that he described as “ordinary men and women, students, soldiers, farmers, teachers, nurses and janitors” (Obama). Another example of how he captures his audience is by being inclusive and opening his speeches with “Tonight, I say to the people of America, to the Democrats, Republicans and Independents...” (Obama). So, with the content of his speech, Barack Obama will send a message that will resonate with the people which constitutes the picture of his audience. Why? Because he knows that he has covered nearly the majority of this country’s population.
So in his speech...

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