Identify and evaluate cultural symbols,target audiences,shared belief structures, assumptions and the arguments (rhetoric) used by advertisers to persuade consumers to buy products.

With a little analysis of the shoe company’s name, we can see all sorts of cultural symbols. We can also understand why and how they developed their name and trademark.

Rhetoric and Target Audience: Since all media is a form of argument, examination of how rhetoric works in the media to promote ideas and values helps us to make better choices. Imagine that you are designing an advertisement. Would you be happy that only people who legitimately need your product buy it? What if you could encourage people to believe that they need your product even if they do not? After all, did you know that you needed a cell phone that told you where the nearest coffee shop was before you saw one? How do people know that they “need” a shirt with an American Eagle logo?

You might be tempted to answer that you buy these things because they are convenient, because you simply want them, and because they make your life better. Chances are that you have been influenced by the rhetoric of advertising, though, whether you are aware of it or not.

Advertisers are not just in the business of promoting their product based on its usefulness. They are also in the business of creating desire for their products, and to do that they use rhetoric. Just as you consider what values you might appeal to in order to persuade your ideal community of readers, so, too, do advertisers and the authors of televisions shows, movies, new broadcasts, songs, billboards, and newspaper articles consider their rhetorical appeals, their ideal community of readers (the target audience), and the values that audience shares.

For this paper, identify and evaluate cultural symbols,target audiences,shared belief structures, assumptions and the arguments (rhetoric) used by advertisers to persuade consumers to buy products.

Issues of Format:

Your paper is required to be 4-6 pages
Use perfect Academic Tone Download Academic Tone
Be sure to use the title of the ad in your paper
Give your paper a catchy title
Standard MLA format
Interact with at least three LARC sources in addition to the ad itself. This means you will include a Works Cited page with at least 4 sources: The ad and your outside sources.