Propaganda Piece

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.
Revision as of 07:49, 27 September 2020 by Umbire the Phantom (talk | contribs) (Somehow we have a page for Propaganda Machine but not actual works of propaganda. Laying the foundation accordingly; this is just a quick thing before I (mostly) turn in for the night)
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Propaganda is generally defined as the communication of ideas, information, and rumors for the purpose of influencing opinions in support for or against a particular cause through emotional appeals; the Propaganda Piece (which is also referred to as just 'propaganda') is the means by which this is carried out.

In short, it is effectively a deliberate Author Tract, which naturally means there is a lot of overlap between the trope. Author Tracts are distinct in that they tend to be more personal to the creator in question, and can often be an unintended result of their choice in themes, though it can also be very much intentional. Conversely, the Propaganda Piece is usually far less ambiguous (if at all) about its purpose as such; it is often the result of an effort to garner support for an organization or institution, and is frequently created in some part or else commissioned by that organization or institution themselves.

Despite the unsavory and manipulative connotations associated with the term in modern times, "propaganda" is considered a historically neutral term. And as always, Tropes Are Not Bad - for example, religions are naturally inclined towards spreading news of their faith as part of their function. There is also some overlap with Public Service Announcements, which are designed to increase public attention towards matters of health and safety - as is the case with many a form of Anvilicious media, Some Anvils Need to Be Dropped.

Examples of Propaganda Piece include:

Advertising

Anime and Manga

Comic Books

  • Captain America originated as a comic intended to rally support against the Nazis from a non-intervening America; the famous issue #1 cover shows Cap in his iconic red-white-and-blue costume punching Adolf Hitler, and post-WWII would see him fighting Communists accordingly.
  • Jack Chick's infamous Chick Tracts, free comics intended to disseminate the author's radical Christian views.

Fan Works

Film

Literature

Live-Action TV

Music

New Media

Newspaper Comics

Oral Tradition, Folklore, Myths and Legends

Pinball

Podcasts

Professional Wrestling

Puppet Shows

Radio

Recorded and Stand Up Comedy

Tabletop Games

Theatre

Video Games

Visual Novels

Web Animation

Web Comics

Web Original

Western Animation

Other Media

Real Life