Propaganda is a systematic promotion and indoctrination of a position, ideology, or value. The position, ideology, or value must be intentionally distributed. It must employ techniques designed to persuade through deceitful means the projected targets in order to adopt the position, ideology, or value. In addition, propaganda can reasonably be claimed when one or more of the following techniques are identified as involved as a part of the campaign.

	Ad Hominem
This technique relies making a personal attack against an opponent. It operates on the inclination for people to believe negative comments made against others. Examples: "My opponent is against people of faith because he supports the use of the filibuster" or "She is racist because she is against quotas"
	Ad Populum
This technique leverages the susceptibility of people to be swayed by emotional arguments. It requires the use of general nonspecific terms that work on the person's passions while never informing targeted person to the substance of the argument. Examples: "My country - love it or leave it" or "bleeding heart liberal"
	Bandwagon
This technique takes advantage of the tendency for individuals to want to be a part of a group. The objective is to convince people to assume a position or belief because everyone else has embraced it. Example: "The latest poll has the incumbent opening a commanding lead with one week to Election Day"
	Big Lie
A completely bold lie told in a bold and confident manner. Example: "As we all know, the private schools offer better education than public schools."
	Card Stacking
This technique is used to over emphasize or show favoritism toward the positive aspects of ones position or allies.   Example: The newspaper or periodical will provide better placement of articles in the publication or print flattering pictures of those favored while showing unappealing ones of the opposition.
	Doublespeak
This technique is designed to hide or soften the true meaning of a term. Example: Collateral damage: A term to describe the unintended injury and/or death of the civilian population or unintended destruction of property in a military engagement.
	Either/or
This technique attempts to influence an opponent into accepting that only two positions are possible. In reality, most situations offer many options. Example: "If you support cutting the education budget you don't care about our children"
	Fear
This technique uses fear and hate to motivate and bring converts over to ones side. Example: "If we try to hold teachers accountable for student progress we will lose all of our good teachers."
	Glittering Generalities
This technique is similar to "Ad Populum" in it's reliance in nonspecific use of slogans and terms that on the surface sound good, but upon examination are without substance. If the catchphrase doesn't provide you with the concrete information how the general statements are to be achieved or what they actually mean, you are likely hearing a "glittering generality". Example: "If you take our self-help course, you life will change for the better" or "We the people of Lefthandia stand for freedom"
	Media Manipulation
This technique is based on the ability of propagandists to quickly and cheaply distort and alter visual and audio media to suit their desired message. The advent of the computer age and development of digital technology has resulted in forgeries of such fine quality that even professionals are hard pressed to distinguish between the real or faked articles. Example: Photograph (center) shows Senator John Kerry shaking hands with Anton LaVey, founder of the Church of Satan. This was a doctored picture made from two other images: John Kerry greeting a clown Rami Salami in 1998 (left), and a picture of Anton LaVey posing with rocker Marilyn Manson in 1994 (right).
	Opinion as Fact
This technique is typified by the use of adjectives and adverbs in describing an event or situation. Example: "The liberating soldiers of our grand army freed the people from the malevolent rule of the country's former dictator"
	Plain Folks
This technique is founded on the supposition that people will trust someone who is self-effacing and unpretentious. Example: "I am a Washington outsider who pays taxes just like you do."
	Repetition
Saying something over and over until it becomes common wisdom and is implanted in the listener's mind. Example: “Special Education parents are overly demanding and pushy" or “All Parisians are snobs”
	Scapegoating
This technique specifies that an individual or a group be branded as being responsible for an event even when they are known to be innocent. This can be effective in misdirecting the public's attention away from the real issues and onto those who have been chosen to bear the displeasure of society. Example: "The courts are responsible for attacking the fundamental values that made our country great ."or "Those right wing fanatics will not be satisfied until they have stolen another election"
	Testimonial
This technique relies on the predisposition of people to want to believe in what people commit to in public. The testimonial is frequently employed in advertising as a substitute for data in convincing the public of the validity of the product or position that is being promoted. The impact is enhanced when the testimonial comes from a famous person. Examples: "We just won the World Series and we're going to Disneyland" or in a Speech given by Charlton Heston delivered at the Free Congress Foundation's 20th Anniversary Gala (December 7, 1997) "I have come to realize that a cultural war is raging across our land... storming our values, assaulting our freedoms, killing our self-confidence in who we are and what we believe, where we come from."
	Transfer
This technique uses the ability to transfer or associate positive or negative qualities from one person or object to another. This technique profits a speaker who uses the statements or positions of a famous and well respected figure to reinforce and enhance their own credibility or can be used effectively to transfer blame from one person or group to another. Example: "It is clearly the case that the recent plague is the result of the sins of our heretical brothers. God is punishing us for their wicked ways."