The Rhetorical Analysis Essay Indecision

My English class was assigned to write a rhetorical analysis essay on a convincing advertisement or campaign and explore how it persuades its audience. To see the full assignment guidelines click here.

Once again, my indecision has decided to take over and make my assignments more of a struggle than they really are. I have two ideas that I am working with.

My first idea is the PSU Chipotle closing. For those of you who have not heard, Penn State’s Chipotle venue close temporarily because employees complained of working in “borderline sweatshop conditions.” To be redirected to the Collegian’s article about the losing please click on this picture.

Chipotle workers

PSU Chipotle Closing Announcement

I thought that this was a very bold and effective way for the employees to try and create a legitimate change in their workplace because it clearly expressed anger, it was bluntly honest. Twitter, Yik Yak and other sources of social media blew up with posts from students about how angry or upset they were. I think that the sign has a very big ethos appeal because it plays with a person’s morals. When I read a passage in a history textbook about child labor or inhumane activities I know that my morals and beliefs now would not be able to keep my from speaking down and doing something about it. In the same way, this “advertisement” brings about visuals in your head of literal sweatshops in which health is endangered and people’s states of well-being are declining, basically a place that goes against many people’s beliefs today. However the problems with doing an entire rhetorical analysis essay about this event include a lack of history on the actual problem of working conditions (since it does not seem to be a problem in many other locations) and how simple and short this campaign was. Another problem is that some people did not seem to be reacting to the awful working conditions at Chipotle but rather the lack of an adored social and dining area.

My second idea was to write the essay on the Dove Real Beauty Campaign. The campaign includes many visual advertisements in which bustier woman are displayed in plain bras and panties as  the definition of “real beauty.” Many people know this campaign as a response to the Victoria’s Secret Love My Body Campaign because it was almost an attack on how they think the iconic lingerie models are too skinny to be real role models to other women.

Dove Real Beauty Campaign vs. Victoria’s Secret Love My Body Campaign

 

The advertisements have lots of history behind them since each of them have been criticized to their very core. Dove has been criticized for trying to make it seem okay for women to be fat and for excluding girls who are actually very naturally skinny. The title itself as “Real Beauty” has been criticized for attempting to push onto observers that these women are more beautiful than fit skinny Victoria Secret Models. Obviously Victoria’s Secret has also been under much criticism but often just in general instead of just this campaign. The company has been attacked for trying to promote to unstable teenagers that being skinnier means being prettier and as a result brings up issues like anorexia or bulimia. The Dove campaign has a very specific audience – women or girls who are not necessarily happy with their appearance.  The problem I would have with an essay on this topic would be straying away too much from the Dove ad and towards Victoria’s Secret campaign. I would also struggle analyzing the actual advertisement itself coming up with why it is so persuasive which is the point of the essay. Although I believe that if I kept at it I could pull off a very convincing argument.

Please tell me your thoughts! Anything is appreciated!

2 Comments on The Rhetorical Analysis Essay Indecision

  1. Hannah Bisbing
    October 2, 2014 at 10:52 pm (9 years ago)

    These two beauty advertisements are both excellent ideas for a rhetorical analysis. Completing a comparison of the two will definitely be an interesting argument to hear.

    However, I want to add that I possess a rather differing view than you in regards to certain aspects of these ads. I strongly believe that all Victoria’s Secret advertisements unfairly represent women and suggest that normal women do/should look like the particular women shown. It’s absolutely disgusting. In reality, many females do not have the “ideal” body that Victoria’s Secret promotes. Despite what the ad says to be “normal” and accurately inclusive, we don’t all have thigh gaps, anorexic abdomens, large chests, and absolutely no trace of body fat.

    In regards to the Dove beauty ad, marketers attempted not only to represent the majority of real women’s bodies, but also to make a counter attack towards the false, sexist, eating-disorder-promoting, perfection-obsessed advertisements that Victoria’s Secret utilizes. While, yes, naturally skinny people do exist in the world (and Dove marketers are not out to offend skinny people or to make them feel outcasted), but many people are not naturally like that. And that’s alright! Even the VS models don’t naturally have their television bodies. They’re all on strict, borderline abusive diets, workout regimens, and sleep schedules. Plus, they have the luxury of Photoshop in magazine ads! While this company, and society as a whole, likes to suggest that these manipulated images and abnormal eating practices/workout styles/lifestyles are normal, they’re absolutely, positively not.

  2. Alanna R Harding
    October 2, 2014 at 9:07 pm (9 years ago)

    Personally, I would suggest writing about the Dove Real Beauty Campaign vs. the Victoria Secret Love My Body Campaign. Due to the national nature of the campaign you will more effectively be able to find statistics about the logistics of the campaign and glean opinions from experts on the subject such as advertising magazines.

    However, I think that a discussion of the Chipotle debacle would be an interesting topic for a future blog post!

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