english essay

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Eng. 209-Topic 2/Dr. Motai

ENG 209 ESSAY #2 WRITING ASSIGNMENT:

HOW ADVERTISING REFLECTS and AFFECTS CULTURE

To sell a product of any kind, companies and ad designers need to understand the culture they are selling to. Previously, we discussed the different windows each culture sees the world through, and that makes it impossible to sell products in the same way to one ‘universal’ culture.

To begin the Advertising and Culture topic, we’ll read 2 articles that discuss some ‘universal’ truths about advertising.

WRITING YOUR ESSAY

To begin the essay, you’ll use the readings you’ve chosen to discuss what human needs and emotions advertisers are actually appealing to in their ads.

Then, you’ll choose and write about two or three advertisements (print, television or internet) from the culture (or two cultures) you are most connected and familiar with. You’ll be looking for ads that base some of their ‘sales appeal’ on values, or values-based stereotypes or myths that exist in your culture, with the goal of analyzing and explaining the cultural aspects of the ads to readers.

REFERENCE SOURCES

You’ll use as reference sources: a) One) of the readings we’ve done in class; b) a reading or video source you have chosen through your own research; and c) 2-3 media advertisements that are representative of values in your culture.

The article and media ad/s should represent, either obviously or subtly, the values of your culture/s. Possibilities include historical/traditional beliefs, “universal” (agreed-upon) values, or stereotyping (gender, racial or cultural) that represents something either true or untrue about current society.

Length of essay: 3 ½ -5 pages (825-1,250 words), 12-point font, double-spaced. Include a word count and number the pages of your essay.

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