The Finish Line

So, you've (hopefully) turned in your last assignment. If not, make sure to get it in tonight by 11:50. You're caught up on the blogs (right?) and you've done everything else I've asked of you.

Good job. I'm through with you. I'll (hopefully) be getting all the papers and blogs finished up and graded by the end of next week. Go prepare for your other classes with final exams and whatnot now. Quick, before I change my mind.

Finish Up Your Paper

Your last paper is due Friday, so you're almost done with your blog. If you're not caught up, get caught up. If you're not done with your paper, get it done.

Your Advertisement

Hopefully by now you've picked out an ad for your analysis paper. If you haven't, you should probably get a move on, don't you think?

So what's your ad for? What's it look like? What magazine did you get it from? Who's the target audience for that magazine? Do you think the ad's content and design was influenced by that? In what way? See where I'm going with this? Discuss the ad you chose in terms of its AUDIENCE and PURPOSE. Those two things are going to determine a whole heckuva lot when it comes to developing an ad--just like they should when you're composing any piece of writing.

For your final draft, make sure to turn in the advertisement you are analyzing.

Elements of an Effective Layout

Today, make sure you read "Elements of an Effective Layout." What's the analytical tool in this article? How do the different elements apply to the ad you chose? Are there any that you don't quite understand? Which ones seem to be the most important? Least important? Now that you're thinking about these things in terms of layout and their effects, does that just ruin advertising for you altogether—like seeing the Mickey Mouse backstage at Disney World with his head off? Only maybe less life-scarring.

Democracy of Goods

We're going to put those ACT Reading Comprehension skills to use today. Read "The Appeal of the Democracy of Goods" (on Angel). What is the analytical tool (or thesis/main point) that's being talked about (read the Analysis Overview for more information on finding the analytical tool)? How is it applied to advertising today? How can it be applied to the ad you chose to analyze?

Advertising

For today's blog, I want you to talk about an ad—on TV, in a magazine, on the radio, on the internet, etc.—that you find particularly effective. What makes it effective? Did it use humor? Was the product/service showcased well? Did you end up doing what the ad wanted you to?

Similarly, what's an ad that you think is especially ineffective? What stinks about it? Did it turn you off the product altogether?

Looking forward

You don't have a blog post today because I know you worked hard to get your persuasive essays finished and turned in on Wednesday. Enjoy the fall weather and the weekend and look for your last assignment to be posted on Angel and the blog Monday morning.