Fitzsimmons 1 Alexis Fitzsimmons Professor Robisch College Writing I/ Argumentative Advertising October 9, 2013 Methods of Advertisement The main

purpose of an advertisement is to attract an intended audience in the sake of publicizing an idea, argument, product, or public service announcement. A major problem among society is that these broadcasts are not always as well put together, or created with a clear intent as they should be. By using ethos, pathos, and logos in an argumentative state, the effectiveness of anti-meth posters will be determined. When discussing a relevant topic, nonetheless creating a public service announcement for the greater common good, it is important that the message be as specific and clear as possible. Some tactics that can be used to create a successful display are an intended audience, effective use of media, an outstanding headline, memorable images, and an emotional desire. These are some of the steps, according to marketingnous.com, that are used to make a well-rounded impact on society. Methamphetamine, commonly referred to as Tina, ice, crank, glass, speed, and commonly as meth, is one of the most accessible drugs on the market. It can be made at home with familiar household products. It is extremely addictive and is very harmful to the body. With its popularity, many may not understand the risks and impacts it can have over a period of time. Thankfully, Meth Project Foundation has provided many informative advertisements via print, radio, and television commercials to the public. Among many of the foundations public service announcements, 15 bucks and Bathroom grabbed the most attention on their website,

Fitzsimmons 2 methproject.org. Although the titles are vague, there is a large picture shown. 15 Bucks has a teenage girl laying in grass performing sexual acts with an older man. The catch phrase says, 15 bucks for sex isnt normal. But on meth it is. Bathroom is the inside of a public bathroom stall that is very dirty and repulsive looking that says, No one thinks theyll lose their virginity here. Meth will change that. Both of these could be referred to as awful advertisements, but in order to prove this argument, it is necessary to examine with argumentative appeals. While exploring the advertisement 15 Bucks, made possible by Methproject.org, it is apparent that this poster is not effective in discouraging the use of meth. Referring to the ethos argument, it has an unethical to compare prostitution to meth addiction. The ad states, 15 bucks for meth isnt normal. But on meth it is, which is trying to explain that selling oneself for money in order to buy drugs is not normal. However, the dollar amount being specifically 15 bucks raises this idea that possibly selling for sex at a higher cost, while not being under the influence of meth is normal. It is important to remember that this is an American advertisement, and that prostitution is legal in certain parts of the country. Considering this, the phrase, 15 bucks comes across as cheap and sleazy, but if the dollar amount would change, one may consider her a high end, expensive, classy, escort. Next, the logos appeal allows the investigation of a logical argument. Logically, this teenage girl in this print ad is not in her right mental state of mind based solely on her appearance. Her tired face, puffy, swollen, baggy, dark eyes, and her messy hair indicates that she is not healthy. It is necessary to consider her moral beliefs and not rule out the possibility she likes selling herself. She could be exploring the benefits of becoming an entrepreneur, or private business owner, or she could have been raised that prostitution is acceptable as long as youre

Fitzsimmons 3 being safe. This ad does not dictate whether she is being safe or not. Therefore, she can do as she pleases and can deal with the consequences under that state or cities jurisdiction. Lastly, through the exploration of pathos, it is important to examine the emotional aspect this ad gives the audience. The normal reaction to this poster is amusement or laughter. The font, the sentence structure, and graphics are all important components that need to be thought about carefully in order to create an effective public service announcement. With that being stated, this advertisement does not have a clear, active emotional appeal. Another ad published by methproject.org entitled, Bathroom compares using meth to losing ones virginity in a dingy public stall. Again, it is important to question the effectiveness of another advertisement by the same foundation. With the second examination, it will be theorized that this website, methproject.org, is not a good site to refer to when searching for ads advocating about meth use. Using the same appeals as above, an ethical expression towards this ad would be that the creator made an inaccurate point assuming that everyones first time having sex has to pleasant. Not everybody has a romantic, candle lit dinner with a movie, alongside buttered popcorn with rose pedals from the living room to the bedroom. Therefore, making the statement and degrading someone based on where they lost their lotus flower is incorrect: along with this ethos appeal. The exploration of the logos appeal will determine any logical errors within this public service announcement. It is invalid to speculate that a couple must have sex sitting on the toilet, the floor, against the stall, or anywhere else because one does not have to have sex sitting or lying. In fact, based on the laws of physics, one could have sex just standing in open space. Furthermore, it is possible for one to have sex standing, and as long as their shoes are on, it

Fitzsimmons 4 wouldnt be on that gross. After all, humans walk on some pretty gross things, as well as touch unsanitary objects. Lastly, the pathos appeal to this advertisement is weak. The creators are trying to compare drug addiction; a very serious problem, to losing ones virginit y. In some cases, it can be extremely emotional because it is someone that can never be taken back, but in most scenarios, it is not treated as though it is the end of the world. However, meth abuse could be fetal. There are many accidents that can occur while under the influence. It is important for the viewer to understand that these are two different levels of emotion that are inadequately being compared. Terminally, one should not refer to either of these ads for logical, ethical, or emotional assumptions about the abuse of meth. As unhealthy and addictive as it is, these advertisements do not show the severity. These are not effective posters, but rather comical material. If a school or an organization were looking for campaign modules to display describing the potentials meth has on the human body, these ads would not be the best choice; not even one to consider. It is necessary to be aware of and use the argumentative analysis in order to prove when an argument is invalid. Through the use of these tactics, it is evident that methproject.org did not make effective ads about the addiction and abuse of meth.

Fitzsimmons 5 Works Cited MethProject.org. "Bathroom." Methproject.org. Meth Project Foundation. n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2013. MethProject.org. "15 Bucks." Methproject.org. Meth Project Foundation. n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2013. Meth Product. Meth Project Foundation. 2013. Web. 25 Sept. 2013.

Next Level. A Division of Dugan and Lopatka. 2013. Web. 2 Oct. 2013.