A small
booklet, or often only a folded-up piece of paper, which is intended for
mass distribution, usually for free. Pamphlets are usually intended to inform an interested person of the basics of a service or idea, and get them interested in hearing more.
A large subset of pamphlets, often handed out on street corners, present a short arguments for a religious, social, or political view. These are usually viewed with distaste by most of the population.
An even larger subset is plain, straight out advertising.