Classroomtools.com - Analyzing Big Government

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Propaganda Analysis Sheet

Analyzing Big Government

What item are you analyzing? GunTruths.com's Gun Control Poster
The message you chose to work with is transmitted via (check off all applicable categories)

__X__	written language	_____	spoken language	_____	music	_____	other sound
__X__	image (photo, drawing, etc.)	__X__	color	_____	other visual	_____	other _______________________

The medium used to transmit the message is (check off the type that applies)

_____	book	_____	magazine	_____	newspaper	_____	mail or e-mail	__X__	billboard or poster
_____	TV	_____	radio	_____	film	_____	CD, audiotape, etc.	_____	other _________________

Who authored the message?

GunTruths.com

At whom is it targeted?

Americans fearful of Big Government taking away their "2nd Amendment rights"

Is it commercial or non-commercial?

non-commercial

In one clear, brief sentence, summarize the message with which you've decided to work.

You need guns to protect yourself against tyranny.

Are there other propagandistic messages in this item?

No

Is the author attempting to elicit a behavior or a belief?

Belief and Behavior

Clearly state the behavior or belief the author wants from the target.

The author wants to reinforce the belief of those who already know that governments are tyrannical.

S/he wants these people to continue voting for and contributing to those who promise to protect their "2nd amendment rights".

Does the message attempt to manipulate with emotion, reason or both?

Emotion

Describe how you think the manipulation works?

Red letters signal alarm. The Government Agent pointing his automatic weapon at an unarmed man trying to protect a clearly frightened child, vividly illustrates the apparent perils facing an unarmed populace.

The poster ignores most of the facts surrounding this particular situation - the Federal Government's need to enforce a court order to turn Elian Gonzalez (the child) over to his father after repeated attempts to negotiate the turnover were rejected by those holding the boy; the same people who had lost every legal challenge they'd filed in an effort to keep him. For example, there is no acknowledgement that the situation was resolved peacefully, and that Elian was photographed happily in his father's arms just a few hours later. Neither is there any consideration of what might have occurred had the man apparently attempting to protect Elian had a weapon. In fact, no one was injured or killed. Would that have been the case had the protector been armed? Probably not, unless he was unwilling to use his weapon; and in that case what would be the sense in having one?

Do you believe this item was successful propaganda?

Absolutely

What evidence supports your answer to the last question?

Polls showed that information like that in this poster contributed to a conviction among the members of the Cuban community in South Florida to support George W. Bush over Al Gore in the presidential election that took place a few months after the events illustrated by this image. Given the closeness of the outcome of the presidential race in Florida, this type of propaganda was clearly one of the factors that led to Mr. Bush's narrow Electoral College victory, and subsequent ascension to the presidency.

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