- Find an online example of persuasion (per Ch. 8).
- Identify the elements of persuasion that are used effectively (remember, "effective" doesn't necessarily mean "I like it.")
- Identify any ineffective elements (maybe there aren't any, but I bet there are)
- Post a link AND your short list in a comment below. Include your name in the comment.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
ENG 3393 homework, due 2/14
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Jasmine Wilson
ReplyDeleteFebruary 12, 2014
http://www.lamborghini.com/en/home/#!slide/4462
My favorite luxury/ sports cars in the Lamborghini Reventon, so I chose to do my homework on the company's homepage. There are a few slides on the homepage that show off the car's high speeds and overall look. Even though I love the car, upon starring at the various and newest models being displayed, I get the feeling that the ostentatious pictures and the supercilious catch phrase used to goad the viewer into buying the car are both effective and ineffective elements of persuasion.
The words and the pictures are just flashy enough to make the reader/ viewer want the car. In retrospect, the two afore mentioned elements would only be effective if something of far lesser quality were being pushed onto a customer. Lamborghini does not need to mention mileage, a new color, safety, or the radio signal. All of those factors are assumed. To persuade buyers, the company just shows the car and tells their audience/ clients/ customers about how amazing their luxury machines are and have always been assumed to be.
http://www.lamborghini.com/en/home/#!slide/4462
Jasmine, why do you think that is? What is it that Lamboghini (or any of a HOST of other luxury-item sellers) are actually selling?
DeleteKhoryan Strange
ReplyDelete2/13/14
http://www.toyota.com/
I picked a car company as well. I just purchased a Toyota Corolla, so I chose the Toyota home page.
I think the effective part on the website is the fact that as soon as you access the site a collage of pictures and short slogans pop up. They briefly emphasize the importance of purchasing a Toyota and the pictures show cars, cartoon, characters, and families. Also there are videos that show people driving a Toyota just to give the buyer a test drive without actually being in the vehicle. Also, right at the top is a Spanish button to translate for you just in case you don't speak English. They are reaching out to all audiences.
The part that may be ineffective is the fact that it's a really high tech website, so if you don't already know what you are looking for, it might be kind of hard to figure it out Other than that I like the website, and I would be very persuaded to buy a Toyota.
Khoryan, the Toyota website and Lamborghini website advertise - arguably - similar products. What's different about the "cars, cartoon, characters, and families" Toyota chooses as persuasive images than the images chosen by Lamborghini?
DeleteChasity Phillips
ReplyDeleteFeb. 13.2014
http://www.pontiac.com/
I chose this website because pontiac has put a stop on making their car. The last car they came out with was the pontiac G8, which is a lovely car. My mother also have this car thats why i thought of pontiacs. On their home page they are trying to get views like me and you to buy, by telling us how lovely the car is. Pontiac G8 would be my first chose of car if i could afford them, but their catch phrase for viewers like us trying to get us to buy their vehicles are effective not to much ineffective. Effective in a way because they letting us know that they dont make this fantastic car that they want us to buy now, also the beginning of heir saying is the truth. if you have rode in one you will know exactly what they are talking about. They are not ordinary rides, they fun and fast.
Sarah Lindell
ReplyDelete2/13/14
http://www.americanapparel.net/presscenter/adarchive/Ad.html?i=2383
I love fashion so I decided to talk about American Apparel, which is one of my favorite stores to shop at. The name itself sets itself apart from all other retail stores as well as the fact that everything sold is 100% American made. The irony in this ad though is that its promoting support for gay rights, which is still a battle in many American states and is not so "American". Although there aren't rainbows splashed all around the webpage the woman entangled from lips to limbs confirms their support. The American Apparel corporation is big into supporting social movements from immigration to gay rights with screen print T's that say "legalize LA" or "Legalize Gay". There target audience are youthful hipsters that are actively involved or interested in whats going on in America. I chose this add from the online store because I think it effectively promotes American Apparels clothing through controversy, as stated above, gay rights is still an issue faced by LBGT individuals in America. The ads and acceptance that this company has is what America needs to break the social barriers we face today as a society. If you look closely enough the models armpits aren't even shaved, once again going against the grain of what is normal in "America". They really let the picture do most of the talking by keeping the words to a minimum and focusing on the brand name by bolding it and placing it in the left corner of the page. This add may have been offensive to some customers and American Apparel may have lost some bushiness but they took the risk because they knew their target audience would eat it up. American Apparel is unique in so many ways from the way they run their business, to how they pick their models through mailed photographs from customers. They understand that the youth is searching and yearning for this "American dream" and their selling it to us.
http://www.americanapparel.net/presscenter/adarchive/Ad.html?i=2383
Supporting a worthy cause is one of the BEST human endeavors. One might argue (I mean, not me, obvs, but "one") that there's a fine line between legitimate support for a cause and commodifying that cause to stir controversy and sell products. I'm not necessarily saying that's what American Apparel is doing, but - hmm - I wonder what brand of clothes those girls are wearing, and how important that is to their civil liberties.
DeleteElizabeth Valderaz
ReplyDeleteFebruary 13, 2014
http://www.baseballexpress.com/
The website I chose to do this assignment over was baseball/softball express. I think it might have been a bad idea to do this assignment over this website because I love everything about this store at a first glance and I feel like my opinion might be a little biased since I am a softball/baseball lover. Anyway, they use persuasion very effectively on the home page of their website. The first thing you see when you open the webpage is this big billboard thing that advertises the new equipment they are selling and equipment that is on sale. I noticed they use "SAVE NOW," "SAVINGS FROM TOP BRANDS," and "ON SALE" on almost every slide and that is an effective use of persuasion to me. It makes me want to buy all of the stuff right now. I feel like any time you tell people they will be saving money, they immediately become more interested. The use of pictures and big text make it eye catching and hard to miss and they lead you to the smaller text that give a bit more detail about the sale going on or deal being given.
Good analysis of how the site's use of big-to-small images and text guides users' eyes! What do you make of the emphasis on "sale" prices? Are they actually good prices? Why/how are the prices better now than they were - say - a month ago? A year ago? If the quality of the products hasn't decreased, does that mean Baseball Express has been ripping customers off?
DeleteCourtney
ReplyDeleteSensa is a weight loss product that claims you can lose weight without dieting.
The reasoning behind the claim infers that the client can lose weight by using Sensa, while still eating whatever foods they usually eat.
The evidence t\o support the claim says that Sensa is the "easiest diet ever", as well as telling the consumer that it "helps control cravings and supports a healthy metabolism.
http://www.sensa.com/
But, does the site/ad/argument/etc. work from a rhetorical viewpoint? Is their messaging effective? How? Why?
DeleteSimone Sawyer
ReplyDeleteFeb 14, 2014
http://www.bestbuy.com/
I chose Best Buy because I really like technology and gadgets and things like that. I feel as if this cite does a good job persuading those who are pressed for Valentine's Day gifts and are not sure what to get. They place the Valentine's Day advertisement in the front and center to catch the viewer's attention. Another effective thing that this website does is capitalize and bold the word "free." That word alone catches peoples eyes and causes them to want to stay and look at what they can get for free or how much of a deal they would be getting.
The only ineffective thing I can see that this cite does is the overall decor of the page. I know the products are supposed to jump out and catch your attention but I just don't feel as if it persuades those who aren't pressed for time and in need of buying things. The overall look of the page is pretty bland in my opinion.
Tomandlorenzo.com
ReplyDeleteThere was a picture of a man and woman holding a michael kors purse. The ad was implying that with his purse you will be looking great and your hair will be blowing with a man by your side. It also had a stage on the back as if his purse was for famous actresses. I think ads like this one are the reason alot of famous women are carrying on of his purses. Just to have theMK symbol on your purse makes you look and feel like somebody special. The ad makes you feel as if with a MK purse you will be pretty and fabolous. They dont mention how expensive they are.I have one of his purses and I dont feel any different. Ive also seen several woman who are not actresses carrying his purse.
Falise ^^^
DeleteScott Williams-Ley
ReplyDeletehttps://www.kickstarter.com/projects/playism/la-mulana-2
This is the Kickstarter page for a videogame called La-Mulana 2; its goal is to convince the reader to pledge money to the production so that the developers will have a large enough budget to make the game.
Effective elements: This project has high production values and a brand name that's well known in the niche it's marketing toward. The developers have clearly put a lot of effort into this kickstarter, with a video trailer and many tiers of backer rewards to entice people to give to the project, and lots of updates to keep raising awareness.
Ineffective elements: They don't actually talk a lot about the videogame they're trying to make! It takes until the 3:40 mark in their 4:47-long video for them to even mention any features of the game they want to make, and the vast majority of the page is spent on detailing small backer rewards, thanks for contributing, and reminders that they made the original game instead of talking about the new game that you're actually there to decide whether or not to pay for.
http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/insanity.do?e=166015
ReplyDeleteI chose Insanity Workout DVD, created by Shaun T., because I really love the before and after pictures of clients, the compare and contrast of other workout DVD's and the overall idea of "this could be you in under 60 days." But, the downside of all that is the video just under Shaun T.'s smoking hot body reads "The Hardest Workout Ever Put On DVD." Most consumers want to workout, but they don't want something that you cause an heart attack. The marketing technique to get people to buy it is all the way near the bottom with the before and after pictures. Yes, I agree that if you are promoting a weight loss product, add some consumer results. Get "real people" pictures to make it believable that the dream of fitting into my skinny jeans again can really happen. BUT...when you pair it off with "hardest workout ever--if you're up to the challenage", I'm sorry, but it's going to discourage me enough not buy the product and go home and eat a cheeseburger. Plus, his use of color was all over the place. When you first see the page, the words are in white, it should have been in read since you're product is called Insanity. Second, mustard yellow back ground with deep purple writing is just awlful in any advertisement. Lastly, the most important information (like price and discounts) was at the bottom of the page. It was just an overkill of information. It should have just a picture of his sweaty, ripped body with red caption of "Are you up for the challenage?" and then Order Now. That's it. If anyone wants to see anymore about consumer results or price then they can click on the necessary button (which needs to be in red) and get more information.