Write on both the following questions (up to 60 points each). Submit this assignment to the Midterm 3 dropbox in Angel.

 

For sample essays, see here. QUESTION 1: (REQUIRED)

Analyze in-depth at least 5 different specific advertisements from print or other media. Find fallacies and other persuasive devices. Analyze images as well as words. For example, you might talk about why you think this ad appears in this publication. If people are pictured, why these people? What kinds of plausible alternative people or lifestyles are not shown? Any messages about race, class, and gender?

Any techniques to ingratiate by making the reader feel smart or hip? Any in-jokes (e.g., humorous references to common experiences or cultural figures – TV shows, toys, video games, movies, etc. – that would be known only to persons of a certain age or class or gender)? Any irony or self-parody (e.g., acknowledgement within the ad that it’s an ad, or reference to other ads)?

Does the publication contain complementary copy?

 

Be sure your answer reflects familiarity with fallacies, videos and the Steinem article.

Please do not take all your ads from the same magazine! For example, don't pick all the ads from TV Guide and tell me they are all (surprise!) designed to appeal to people who watch TV. Pick five ads from five DIFFERENT KINDS of publications: political or news or lifestyle, aimed at specific populations such as disabled people, retired people, sports fans, car enthusiasts, homemakers, computer users, etc.

On-campus students who analyze ads from magazines or newspapers must attach them (or copies).

Because not all online students can easily transmit ad copies electronically, online students do NOT have to send ad copies. Please remember, however, that I have probably have NOT seen the ad, so it is YOUR job to tell me all about it. I cannot evaluate your answer if I have no idea what you're referring to.

If you analyze TV or other ads – e.g., on billboards or in movie theaters – describe the ads completely, including transcripts of any dialog or voice-over.

 

QUESTION 2 (REQUIRED):

To what degree should one believe the news on commercial media? Be sure your answer reflects familiarity with assigned reading, lectures, and videos, but especially THE ASSIGNED READING for Part 6. Cavender and Kahane's chapter summary contains a good checklist of the major elements to include in this essay.

You may include material from films such as Roger and Me, The Big One, Wag the Dog, and Bob Roberts; but be sure to demonstrate familiarity with THE READING. If you don’t agree with the reading, lectures, videos, etc., give your own (hopefully non-fallacious) arguments in defense of commercial news media.

 

EXTRA CREDIT QUESTION: (up to 75 points).

Submit this assignment to the Midterm 3 Extra Credit drop box in Angel.

What is affluenza? Explain fully. Explain the Marxist concept of alienation. What would a Marxist say about affluenza?