Goal: Find an advertisement online that is controversial in nature and also interests you based on your values, hobbies, etc. You will analyze the advertisement and explore its effectiveness (or ineffectiveness) based on the rhetorical concepts we covered in Week 5.
The advertisement you choose should be displayed in one photo, also known as a print ad: commercials are off limits. Be sure to save the photo to your computer so that you will have it to include as part of your essay (instructions on how to do this are in Week 6.) If you need help with saving the image, please reach out to me right away!
I hope you all find this essay assignment challenging and also rewarding! Remember, rhetoric is all around us, all of the time, and I look forward to reading the cultural conversations we will essentially be having as a result of your writing. ☺
Requirements: Three pages (without photo), MLA format, and Standard Essay Construction: Introduction, Body Paragraphs, Conclusion
Essay Breakdown
The introduction paragraph should do the following:
Engage the audience through a hook (bold statement, series of rhetorical questions, quote, or short anecdote).
Provide background on the topic: formally introduce the advertisement.
State your thesis: identify the main idea behind your analysis.
Think: effectiveness of the ad AND/OR the major insights about society that the ad communicates to its audience
Thesis may be 2-3 sentences
The body paragraphs should be developed based on the following major sections:
Include a description of the visual: focus on key elements.
What draws your eye first?
What seems most interesting or important? This can be done in one or more multiple paragraphs.
*Your goal in this section is to analyze the design elements that make the ad most powerful/captivating.

Include PARAGRAPHS (think 3-4 here) on audience AND ethos, pathos, and logos:
Make sure to include examples from the advertisement to support your claims.
What type of people would comprise the audience for the advertisement?
How does the advertisement establish ethos, pathos, and logos?
*Your goal in these paragraphs is to rhetorically analyze the advertisement.

Include a paragraph in which you discuss the context behind the advertisement:
Is it historical, political, cultural, or religious?
Explain why the advertisement is relevant to the world we live in today.
The conclusion paragraph should do the following:
Discuss the major impact of the advertisement, reiterating why it’s controversial and effective or ineffective.
What insights does it leave its audience with and what is its major impact on society?

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