i) Find an example of propaganda in a newspaper, on the web or other social media, TV, radio, or in a magazine, book, or movie. (Try not to use an example from our text. Find your own example.) You can provide a link or reference to it so I can check it out.
ii) Write a paragraph or two (no more please!) describing this piece of propaganda (in your own words, as clearly as possible), explaining which type of propaganda is being used (or types, if there's more than one). (There are eight types of propaganda listed in our text, pp. 27-30, also covered in the lecture notes sent to you).
iii) Indicate also whether there are any 'hegemonic', 'favourable' or 'negative' definitions at work in your example. If not, then ignore this part. (What I’m asking here is not whether the propaganda is itself hegemonic, favorable or negative, but whether your example of propaganda uses any words or phrases that are defined, either explicitly or merely by suggestion, in ways that are hegemonic, favourable or negative. You can see the discussion of types of definition on pp. 4-13 of the text, and also covered in the lecture notes sent to you.)
i) One example of propaganda is an advertisement by a popular fast-food chain, McDonald's. The advertisement can be found on their official website at https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/whats-hot.html.
ii) In this advertisement, the type of propaganda being used is "testimonial." The ad features well-known celebrities or influencers endorsing McDonald's food, emphasizing their positive experiences and satisfaction with the brand. These testimonials aim to persuade the audience that if these famous individuals enjoy the food, then it must be of high quality and worth trying. By using famous personalities as endorsers, McDonald's attempts to create a positive association between their brand and the success or desirability associated with these celebrities.
iii) In this example, there are no explicit hegemonic, favorable, or negative definitions at work. However, there is an implied favorable definition being used. The advertisement suggests that consuming McDonald's food is not only enjoyable but also aligns with the lifestyle and preferences of successful and influential individuals. This creates a positive image of the brand by associating it with those who are considered desirable or aspirational in society.