Free Essay

Rhetorical Analysis Essay

In:

Submitted By sasha0701
Words 1337
Pages 6
Assignment #3: Rhetorical Analysis Essay
ENG: Section 1105

The Backwards Robe Phenomenon
I believe almost everyone in the United States, and even other countries, have heard about the Snuggie (http://www.mysnuggiestore.com/). The Snuggie epidemic is definitely contagious, myself admitting that I even own one. Infomercials have been around for decades, but the Snuggie was definitely a game-changer in that world. From the many commercials that give most of us a few laughs, to seeing almost every living room with a Snuggie draped over their couch or recliner. It's safe to say that the Snuggie is one of the most successful infomercials today, acquiring around $400 million dollars in sales and ranking number 8 on the best seller list. The backwards robe does an amazing job in the commercial for advertisement, showing you that you can go anywhere in your Snuggie and you're able to keep your arms warm and functional, but is it really that necessary of a product? I believe that the goofiness of the infomercial is part of what has made it so successful. The product itself is silly as well, which makes it more memorable than the Slap-Chop or the Ove Glove. The infomercial still uses logos in knowing that it is soft fleece, and does have a reasonable refund date along with a reasonable price. While watching the commercial over again on the internet, I almost feel like they take it too far and it ends up just being cheesy. It seems very outdated, even though it isn't more than 10 years old. The actors in the commercial aren't very convincing, but these reasons might be why the Snuggie infomercial is definitely a memorable one. As sad is it may be, this product is a perfect for targeting us U.S. citizens. Other infomercials are also convincing to the U.S. for targeting the larger persons to become healthy, but we're known around the world for mastering being lazy, which I believe is what most infomercials target. If we're unmotivated and overweight, of course we're going to love a product that keeps us on the couch.
Between a few work-out videos, the Chia Pet, and Herbalife, there are many different infomercials to claim that they were the first. We can, however, estimate that the very first infomercial came about sometime around the 70's. Being a viewer, I almost feel like a sucker knowing that these commercials still grab our attention after over 40 years. Sometimes they're known to make us laugh with their cheesy persuasive ways, but that might be what makes them so great. Using a regular can opener isn't that stressful, but when an infomercial makes it seem like a daunting task, you almost believe that it is. They may also state facts that these many products will make our lives easier, but that's just it. All these products do is make our lives a tiny bit easier, and that's why people still buy them.
I believe it is fairly obvious that the Snuggie has put an impact on our current generations. They may point out various logos, or facts, during their infomercial that might be persuasive enough to have you going home with a backwards robe. The wording of the infomercial itself uses various facts such as telling you it will keep you "Snuggly warm." I'm sure the Snuggie will keep you warm right away because of it being made out of fleece, but after a few washes fleece isn't the same. Another way that the Snuggie infomercial uses facts is that it is one size fits all. However, it doesn't say "one size fits all comfortably." If you're just laying down, the Snuggie might work for anyone comfortably. If you're 5"1' trying to walk to the kitchen, as advertised in the infomercial, you're probably slipping and tripping over your Snuggie train.
The Snuggie infomercial also has some credibility. For the idea of what it is, and its comparing products, it sells for around $15-$20. "Similar products sell for up to $60, but call now and you'll get the ultra-soft, ultra-warm Snuggie for only $14.95!" (youtube.com) For just a regular fleece blanket, or even buying the fabric yourself, it will exceed the amount of the Snuggie proving that it may be a good deal. Sometimes you'll be able to double the offer for just a few more shipping and handling dollars, but they also have been offering a book light as well. "As an added bonus, you'll also receive our compact, press and open book light. A $15 value for free!" (youtube.com) If you're not satisfied with the Snuggie, they will grant you their 30-day money-back guarantee. Since the product is cheaper, you don't have to make more than one payment, and you'll be able to decide for yourself if it is worth it in those 30 days. Last, but not least, the Snuggie leans heavily towards emotion persuasion. In the beginning of the infomercial it tries to convince you that laying underneath a regular blanket isn't comfortable. Usually if anyone is curled up on the couch with any sort of blanket, they're probably comfy. The announcer for the Snuggie uses a distressed tone in her voice when the display woman is without her Snuggie, trying to convince you to buy one with her emotional emphasis. It also almost tries to convince you that you're saving money by not having to turn your heat up as well. "You want to keep warm when you're feeling chill, but you don't want to raise your heating bill. Blankets are okay, but they can slip and slide." (youtube.com) Do regular blankets really "slip and slide"? Also, I believe there is a fine line between using a blanket and turning your heat up. The infomercial tries to apply the Snuggie to everyday life, such as being on the couch, in a dorm, outside by the fire, but then it switches to a sports game. I'm sure it's been done, but I don't know many people who would willingly wear a Snuggie out in public casually. Everyone in the infomercial looks happier instantly as they slip those blanket sleeves on, but how is their backside not cold?
Overall I'm still sticking with my guns and saying that the Snuggie is an unnecessary product. The only reason why I get angry about it, is because it's so simple of a product to make money off of, and I'm upset I couldn't think of it first. The facts are there, with just being a sleeved blanket, but that's what makes it so great. It gives credibility by having a decent price and if you don't like it, just send it back for a full refund. The infomercial itself is a little too emotional for me, but I suppose that's what makes it a good seller by trying to convince people that a regular blanket just isn't enough, and the silliness adds a great effect as well. For the Snuggie I believe it sold so much and was a high achievement because of the price. If it had been a $40 product, I don't think many people would have considered buying one. Once they allowed Snuggie's to be sold in stores, everyone had one. The product itself is almost bittersweet. Such a simple and silly product, yet so much money has been earned from it. Nonetheless, that might be my outlook on most infomercials. Infomercials, in my opinion, are good and bad. If you have a dream product, an infomercial is a great way to get some money sent your way. However, I do believe that there are bigger conflicts in our world that should be solved before an idea comes out that is just a little bit better than the last. If someone decided to make a Snuggie fundraiser for starving children in 3rd world countries, I hope people would buy it for the charity and not just a sleeved blanket.

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Rhetorical Analysis Essay

...Rhetorical Analysis Essay Rossetti Christina Romo Devry University ENGL 112 Professor K.Mckilligan Sabre Jet F-86D Advertisment There are several elements that North American Aviation uses to draw in their potential audience. The printed ad was marketed during the Korean War (Cold War) a time where Americans were highly concerned about their overall safety and well-being of their families. The ad use Pathos (emotions), Ethos (creditability) and Logos (reasoning) .The usage of both genders in military uniform in a aviation tower with at an “at ease” look while sharing communications with one of the most important and manufacturer fighter jets during the war, makes many feel that their concerns about safety are being met and this appeals to the emotion aspect of the advertisement. The United States Air Force (USAF) higher rank personnel used along with the Sabre Jet F-86D right above the manufactured name is the creditability that the audience can trust, the stamp of approval. Being that North American Aviation (NAA) is the manufacturer of the Sabre Jet F-86D, the most important and best fighter jet in 1953, the manufacturer’s longevity is used in the reasoning appeal because not only was NAA the largest company but also the oldest being found in 1928 and their first combat aircraft, BC-1 produced in 1937. The ad is of a F-86D Sabre Jet that were mainly manufacturer to kept up with the similar winged Soviet MiG-15 during the Korean/Cold War era(1950-1953).North American...

Words: 685 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Rhetorical Analysis Essay

...The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), founded by Henry Bergh in 1866, was the first humane society established in North America. The ASPCA outlines its goals in its mission statement: “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.” The ASPCA, a nonprofit organization, works to fulfill its mission by caring for pet parents and pets, providing positive outcomes for at-risk animals, and serving all victims of animal cruelty. The ASPCA utilizes both its website and its television advertisements to encourage people to participate in the organization either by donating or adopting. The ASPCA’s website’s organization, content, and layout work primarily to entice visitors to donate money. An examination of the webpage shows the site builders’ careful planning of the design elements. Visitors cannot avoid the large rectangle across the top of the page containing a slideshow of four different pictures. Each of the pictures, a close-up of a dog or cat that has been rescued by the organization, shows a pet with large and sad eyes, forcing the visitor to make eye contact with the pets. Three out of the four picture slides contain a large orange link that reads “Donate Today.” All of the slides also include the names of the dogs and cats shown, adding a personal touch to the pictures. Website viewers may feel guilty if they do not donate money after looking into the eyes of the neglected pets. The website...

Words: 1601 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Rhetorical Analysis Essay

...time on the equality in politics for women. It appears that women are taken less seriously than men because the media would rather focus on the women’s personal life than their stances on political issues. Instead of reporting coverage on a woman politician’s economic policy, they would rather focus on what she wears and whether or not she has a good relationship with her husband. This campaign advertisement not only sends the message on how some men, like Donald Trump, view women, but also can send an underlying or implicit message on how women are treated in general in today’s society, especially women in power. Overall, I would say that this argument does exactly what it intended to do, to persuade. By using such a strong emotional rhetorical appeal, this advertisement is able to captivate a large audience and convince them that Donald Trump is not a good candidate for the presidency without having to use many claims or much evidence. Although the argument does contain logical fallacies, they appear to work in favor for this type of advertisement....

Words: 748 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Rhetorical Analysis Essay

...Brianna Harden English 214.05 Baldwin April 12th, 2013 Emotional Consequences Faced By Veterans and Their Families Many books, articles, or even essays that are read throughout one’s life, can at times be slightly unclear about what precisely the main idea is or what the authors true purpose is for writing that text. Most people do not understand that every writer uses rhetorical strategies throughout their writing to make their text clear and understandable for the reader. These rhetorical strategies are particularly important because they help with the clarity of complex ideas and assist the writer in getting their point across. In doing so, writers are able to make their text more effective for a wider range of people to read. In the article “Iraq, Afghanistan War Veterans Struggle With Combat Trauma,” by David Wood, and in the short story, “Gold Star,” by Siobhan Fallon, the authors use numerous amounts of rhetorical tools to help guide the reader through the text. While “Gold Star” is a short story about a wife who has lost her husband due to the war and “Iraq, Afghanistan War Veterans Struggle With Combat Trauma,” is an informative newspaper article about how the war can have severe consequences on not only the soldiers themselves but their loved ones back at home too, both text use emotive appeals that aim to inform the general public of the various emotional and psychological tolls faced by veterans and their families today. Furthermore, throughout both texts...

Words: 2264 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Benjamin Banneker Rhetorical Analysis Essay

...For my Benjamin Banneker rhetorical analysis essay, I would give myself a score of eight. I believe that I would have scored an eight because I have effectively explained the purpose of several logical rhetorical strategies using evidence. In my thesis, “Banneker’s unexpected eloquence combined with his political and historical allusions work to produce undeniable evidence that supports an argument Jefferson cannot refute,” I have incorporated the specific rhetoric strategies that I discuss in further detail in the following paragraphs. For instance, in discussing the logos of Banneker’s political allusions, I incorporated quotes that demonstrate the legitimacy of the Declaration of Independence, and explain that Banneker includes this reference...

Words: 259 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

'The Rhetorical Analysis Of Gary Soto's Essay'

...“The Rhetorical Analysis of Gary Soto Essay” In his autobiographical narrative, Gary Soto recreates an experience with his guilty six-year-old self. Ultimately, he shares a story with his audience about how his younger self lost his innocence through stealing a pie. Through the effective use of rhetorical devices, Gary Soto achieves his purpose. Pacing was one of the most useful rhetorical strategies used in his essay. In the beginning of the narrative, a slow pace was implied as Soto explained his “boredom” as he sat “underneath the house… looking for something to do”. He then felt anxious as the “juice of guilt” began to “[wet his] underarms” while he tried to decide which pie to steal. The pace drops to a moderate level after Soto is relieved that he was able to steal the pie and “no one saw” him do so. Soto’s relief was short lived as he went into a panic assuming that his neighbors were...

Words: 593 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Rhetorical Analysis Vintage Ad Essay

...Rhetorical Analysis Vintage Ad Essay Crystal Cash DeVry University Rhetorical Analysis Vintage Ad Essay This Palmolive soap advertisement’s headline reads: "Let your beauty be seen.” While looking at this headline from a modern prospective, one might find such claims absurd. When one considers the context of the ad, and that this advertisement targeted the female demographic in America during the 1950’s it kind of makes sense that the ad may have been persuasive. The 50’s can be regarded as one of the happiest decades in American history, it was the end of World War two and the economy was expanding to a global standard. There were two forms of advertising in the 50’s era, pathos and logos. Looking at it from the 50’s perspective, the housewife wants to use this product to look appealing to her husband because in that time the women stayed at home and looked after the home while the men worked. In this ad, Palmolive targets the growing population of suburban women and uses rhetorical strategies that will appeal to emotion and logic. The primary focus of the ad is Palmolive’s appeal to emotion. The depiction of the housewife looking very beautiful with a flawless complexion and the doting husband apparently hanging on her shoulder admiring her beautiful complexion suggests that with this product you “too” can have an adoring husband admiring your new flawless complexion when you use Palmolive soap. In the text of the ad, it states how Palmolive’s beauty plan brings exciting...

Words: 590 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Florence Kelley Rhetorical Analysis Essay

...Rhetorical Analysis Essay The early 1900s married a time of child labor reformers and women's rights activists, as America reeled with children in the work force from the rapid industrialization during the Gilded Age and women advocating for their rights as Progressivism swept across the country. Florence Kelley, a women’s rights activist, delivered a passionate speech confronting the inhumane character of child labor employing rhetorical questions to guide the listener’s thoughts, parallelism and repetition to emphasize significant points in her argument, and current examples to provide a logical foundation on which she constructs her speech. Like many other women’s rights activists, Kelley readily took a stand against child labor when she...

Words: 639 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Elizabeth Almasi Rhetorical Analysis Essay

...Rhetorical Analysis Essay My argument about direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs is that, it should be changed to something better. My reasons for making this argument is that Elizabeth Almasi and Randall Staffords showed a lot pathos and logos but did not show any ethos. Peter Mansfield argues about replacing the DTCA with something new also showing a solution to the problem. Richard Kravitz uses a lot of all three pathos, logos, and ethos, in his argument about regulating it. Some background about the debate on whether the DTCA should be banned, regulated, or changed is which one is going to be beneficial for the public. The first viewpoint, Elizabeth Almasi and Randall Staffords, shows that advertising prescription medicines could trigger a placebo effect. The effect is serious given that one-third of patients reported that the had relief from coughs, headaches, depressions while given a placebo. There are two models that explain the placebo phenomenon, the first model classical conditioning which is a learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired. “According to this theory, prior experiences with effective medical treatments “condition” the patient to associate pills, syringes, and authoritative medical options with imminent pain relief, eliciting a response similar to the active agent” (Almasi 107). Second...

Words: 804 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

A Rhetorical Analysis Essay On Individualism

... Apple’s famous 1984 advertisement speaks to the population because it follows the same type of format as the Daisy advertisement we watched earlier in class. They paint a colorless futuristic dystopia. In Apple’s case, it’s a colorless totalitarian government that snuffs out the idea of individualism. The viewer can identify this by the lack of color used to portray the populus, as well as every hallway and corridor being filled with TV screens and sound systems playing the same brainwashing message on repeat. The viewer of this advertisement is given a sense of unease by the emotionless and colorless faces of the people, and this creates a fear in the reader that if we keep mindlessly consuming technology, this could be the future of the world. After this sense of fear is instilled in the viewer, the camera cuts rapidly in between the emotionless civilization and a woman. These rapid cuts of the camera create a sense of urgency. They add to this sense of urgency by showing our new character being chased by policemen who are covered in black military armor and are brandishing weapons. The woman being chased by the police or government, is different than everyone else, the viewer can identify a strong sense of individualism contrary to the oppressed people in this futuristic dystopia. She is wearing bright red shorts and a bright white t shirt, with what from I can tell, is a computer insignia. She is running in a very powerful way, and she has a hammer in her hands. This...

Words: 585 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

FDR Rhetorical Analysis Essay

...When Roosevelt delivered his speech, in 1933, The Great Depression had already tormented the United States for three years. His speech was address to the people that still had hope, the people that were tired of not having a place to leave or any money to feed their children. Roosevelt uses logos, pathos, and ethos to express what he feels is the right thing to do in a situation like the Great Depression and to persuade people to follow him in his plans. Logos is the use of logic, such as in FDR speech the First Inaugural Address. Roosevelt uses logos when he says, “our greatest primary task is to put people to work,” and then gives the audience information on how this task may be achieved. Some examples of this is when he says “ It can be helped by insistence that the Federal, the State, and the local government act forthwith on the demand that their cost be drastically reduced.” and by “ providing a better use of the land for those best fitted for the land”(Roosevelt). This is an important part in the success of the speech because this is exactly what the people want to hear, since most of the audience is homeless and unemployed. Roosevelt also uses pathos to persuade the people by using their emotions. Pathos is shown when FDR states, “ The rulers of the exchange of mankind’s goods have failed, through their own stubbornness and their own incompetence, have admitted their failures, and have abdicated” (Roosevelt). This statement makes the audience mad, and sort of betrayed...

Words: 473 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Popchips Rhetorical Analysis Essay

...Popchips: The All Natural Lifestyle Snack Popchips’ advertisement effectively symbolizes a healthy lifestyle associated with the consumption of their product simply by the usage of Pop Star Katy Perry, Color and word choice, thus providing a strong connection between a healthy consumer through a healthy product. Popchips very strategically uses the face of well-known celebrity Katy Perry to further amp up the quality of their product. Although Katy Perry is famous for her lovely singing voice, her career requires a lot more than just being able to carry a note. Many of her performances, such as her Super Bowl show of 2015, are very physically demanding. This explains why Katy Perry is very conscious of what she puts into her body, and how often she goes to work For instance the singer participates in an immune boosting diet generated by Henry Pasternak, that consists of 5 small meals throughout the day. Along with this particular diet, Katy Perry enjoys to go through her workout outside, or to go on a hike. The creator uses Perry’s credibility of having a nutritional, active lifestyle to develop a good sense of the product. The usage of ethos out of Aristotle’s three modes, describes the credibility of the person which the creator is able to do. Popchips goes on further stimulate their audience’s senses by using certain colors to trigger certain emotions. A good example of this is their use of the color blue. Perry is seen wearing a blue blouse accompanied by a blue background...

Words: 515 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Rhetorical Analysis Essay On Didion's

...Didion's recount of going home for her daughter's birthday is one that's emotionally charged. If the goal of the text is to relate to the audience and penetrate her feelings through words, it is very effective. Didion details situations and events that relate with the audience and showcase her mood consistently throughout the text. Didion utilizes situations to relate and connect with the audience frequently throughout the story. "A white cake, strawberry-marshmallow ice cream, a bottle of champagne" can take one back to a party in his or her memory (Didion 3). Going to visit her great aunts, where they "recall an anecdote about a relative last seen in 1948" can have the audience reflecting back on their family: when was the last time his or her family member was seen? When had he or she last visited family (Didion 2). Didion's masterful use of interjecting anecdote-like flashbacks throughout the text is a subtle reminder of the past, one that can conjure up long forgotten memories and invoke a nostalgic feeling in each and every reader. With Didion's relatable situations, it is easier for her to make a connection, no matter how subtle, with her audience, a key part in making a text effective. The nostalgic vibe that comes through is demonstrated when she decides to "meet it head-on and clean out a drawer," when she comes across mementos from her childhood (Didion 2). The piece carries a heavy wistful yet melancholic mood to it as she sifts through photographs and letters that...

Words: 438 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

The Prince Rhetorical Analysis Essay

...In The Prince, Niccolo Machiavelli outlines the specific paths that any new or aspiring prince must take in order to be a successful juxtaposition leader. Since he naturally provides numerous historical examples for both successful and unsuccessful approaches, their is perhaps the most effective rhetorical strategy on display in this text. As such, it is only logical that we examine the most successful example of a prince, that being Ferdinand of Aragon, so as to illuminate Machiavelli’s argument in greater detail. The most striking element of Ferdinand’s success seems to be the successful management of time. That is, Ferdinand seems to appreciate the role that management of time plays in general distraction, and in quelling any potential...

Words: 1189 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Rhetorical Analysis Essay On Buzzfod

...popular online news and entertainment source, BuzzFeed, is a huge success. But what is the fuel that keeps this site so popular with returning viewers? Known for its mindless quizzes and fun numbered lists, BuzzFeed goes beyond ordinary news websites that contain articles merely on news and current events. BuzzFeed expands on new subject areas by producing informative and humorous content on popular culture and entertainment. This news and entertainment site has a unique approach that appeals to a younger and more technology-advanced audience. By taking into account the mixture of content and target audience, BuzzFeed continues to form loyal viewers and transform the way people receive news and entertainment. BuzzFeed makes successful rhetorical choices that work together to create a strong attraction to its audience, persuading them to engage with pop culture in a meaningful way. BuzzFeed ‘s...

Words: 1095 - Pages: 5