My Advertisement

The ad I chose to write about is Walgreens Flu Shots “Arm Yourself for the ones you love.” It’s a very simple ad however it gets the message through to viewers. The ad target’s all individuals to receive their flu shots every year. Yes the content and design of the ad follows all the guidelines listed in Marchand’s article. The designer incorporated enough information to inspire viewers without overloading their view. I found my ad in a Women’s Health magazine, however, this advertisement is seen EVERYWHERE. You can find it on billboards, at Walgreens stores, and on commercials. The purpose of the advertisement is for a good cause and the phrases used can be very inspiring for individuals.

Elements of an Effective Layout

In the article “Elements of an Effective Layout,” author Dorothy Cohen uses several analytical tools in order for viewers to understand an advertisement. These elements consist of balance, proportion, movement, utility, clarity and emphasis. I think the most important would be balance and proportion. If I come across an advertisement where the main focus is specifically on one side and the image(s) and text(s) are not proportional with each other, it throws me off. It’s unprofessional like to have an advertisement looking this way. The least important would have to be emphasis. I feel like it just sums up what the other elements together consist of.

Democracy of Goods

The main goal of an advertisement is to get consumers to buy the product making it as fordable as possible. “The wonders of modern mass production and distribution enabled everyone to enjoy society’s most desirable pleasures, conveniences, or benefits.” (Marchand 213) The Democracy of Goods implies that advertisements show off the rich and wealthy knowing that the average Joes will fall for the ad to be “just like them.” I believe the Democracy of Goods is used in today’s advertising. 

Advertising

When thinking about successful commercial advertisements, the first thing that comes to mind is Coke commercials. I don’t recall every watching a Coke commercial and not liking it. They always seem to have a unique creative plot behind to finding of Coke. The commercials follow all the proper elements listed in Marchand’s article; balance, proportion, movement, utility, clarity and emphasis.

On the other hand, there is one company whose commercials I can NOT stand….Geico. I’ve never understood the relationship between the plot of the commercials and the company’s products. Their commercials come off as stupid and unprofessional like to me.

Persuasive Essay Summary

My thesis statement is mastectomies are more affective than lumpectomies. Main arguments I included in my essay were examples as to why mastectomies are the way to go, pros mastectomies contain, and the lifelong aspects they bring. Counterarguments used were examples of women who endured a lumpectomy, pros lumpectomies brought HOWEVER that they are not a lifelong cure to breast cancer.

Research

Works Cited

"Permission to Live My Dream: All It Took Was Breast Cancer | No Boobs About It." Breast Cancer Blog: No Boobs About It – Navigating Breast Cancer. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://noboobsaboutit.com/about/>.

"Probability of Breast Cancer in American Women - National Cancer Institute." Comprehensive Cancer Information - National Cancer Institute. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/probability-breast-cancer>

“Mastectomy: MedlinePlus." National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mastectomy.html#cat27>

"Mastectomy vs. Lumpectomy." BreastCancer.org - Breast Cancer Treatment Information and Pictures. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/mast_vs_lump.jsp>

"Breast Cancer Guide - Treatment." Continuum Heath Partners - Homepage. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://www.chpnyc.org/directory/combsite/treat.html>

"History of Breast Cancer." THE MEDICAL NEWS | from News-Medical.Net - Latest Medical News and Research from Around the World. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://www.news-medical.net/health/History-of-Breast-Cancer.aspx>

"Lumpectomy." BreastCancer.org - Breast Cancer Treatment Information and Pictures. Web. 24 Oct. 2011.

<http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/lumpectomy/>

Style

After reading “An Approach to Style (With a List of Reminders)” the one that spoke out to me the most was #6. Do not overwrite. I find myself adding in unnecessary words just to get the point across. Sentences don’t need to be lengthy to make a point/statement. Although not a lot of suggestions were made, it is the only thing I struggle with the most when writing papers. I agree when they say to reread your writing later and delete excess wording.