glittering generality
This poster propaganda was published by the US Office of Facts and Figures in 1942, during World War II. There are eight different variations of this poster, each portraying different US WWII allies. This WWII propaganda by the US government effectively uses glittering generality to invoke patriotism and pride amongst Americans. Words “friend” and “freedom” have extremely vague and unclear meanings. However, it is not doubt that these words have positive connotations that automatically make people want them. Most people want friends and freedom. This advertisement promotes support and sympathy from Americans through giving a perception that WWII is fought for freedom of both America and her friends. The glittering generality technique encourages one to be emotionally convicted and appealed by a word or a phrase that is related to a highly valued concept or belief without having any actual supporting evidence. Glittering generality was effectively used in the war propaganda by making one become emotionally convicted by the words "friends" and "freedom", invoking the idea of patriotism and pride of the USA.
United States. Office of Facts and Figures. This man is your friend : Ethiopian : he fights for freedom.. [Washington, D.C.]. UNT Digital Library. http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc235/. Accessed February 16, 2014.