"All About Steve" RA

http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/allaboutsteve/

All about Steve is a movie that is specifically geared toward single women, looking for a partner. It is a romantic comedy which can appeal to all sorts of audiences, but I think the main audience they are trying to sell tickets to are the single women that are looking for the perfect man. In the movie, Sandra Bullock's character is an ordinary woman who goes out on a blind date, and falls in love with Bradley Cooper's character. He, however, does not fall in love. In fact, he really doesn't want to see her again, and gets freaked out by her intensity. As the story progresses, ultimately he begins to see that he loves her for who she is. He loves the fact that she is genuine, and that she can just be herself. The goal for the filmmakers is to sell tickets. They sell tickets by making the movie relatable, and by appealing to the specific audience. This goal is met through the emotional tie that we place in the characters. Many women place themselves in the character's shoes, and relate the entire movie to themselves. It is accurate to not all women, but a pretty good population of them. It is relevant, and sufficient. I believe it is a story that any woman can relate to initially- it starts as a situation that we have all been through, but it progresses to the point that she finds love by just being herself. I believe that it is effective, because many women want to find that perfect man out there who will love them for who they are. This is why the movie sold tickets- we all love it.

Persuasive Sales RA

Today I went to 24 hour fitness to ask about a membership. I actually already work out at Gold's Gym, but I thought it would be interesting to go to a competing gym to see if they would try and have me switch to their gym. Sales men are VERY persuasive. I asked them the differences between the two gyms, and why I should switch over. Their argument was that I definitely should switch. They made this argument by saying that if I signed up with them, I wouldn't have to pay a sign up fee, I wouldn't have to pay an activation fee, and that I would get better rates with 24 if I switched over. The audience was of course, me. They specifically played to the fact that I was A- a student and B- a woman. They made this point be telling me that as a student, it was important for me to pay the lowest rates, and to get the best benefits. At this point, they listed off the different benefits they have over Gold's gym- full access to all amenities, classes, and lower rates. The argument was being made by ethos and logos. Ethos because as professional trainers, they know what works for each individual; they know what will draw a woman my age to the gym, and they know what will draw other types of people as well. Logos was also used in their approach- it is logical for me to pay less money to go to a gym, and it is logical for me to get full amenities at the gym that I use. The information was sufficient because they explained the benefits, and even lowered the price of my contract when I seemed hesitant. I believe it was typical for the audience they are playing to. Anyone who comes through those gym doors is looking for some sort of contract, and they are there to sell it to them. I think that it was relevant, and effective. They didn't sell me this time, but two years ago I was sold on Gold's. I almost walked away, but they made me an offer that I really couldn't refuse, as cliché as that sounds. When you learn how to sell, you can persuade just about anyone. I was a struggling freshman with literally no money in my account, and they sold me.

Visual Art RA

I believe that the argument here is pretty clear- it is most definitely an anti-smoking add. I think the argument here is directed toward the tobacco company. It is specifically for those who market and sell tobacco to the general public. I think that the goal here is to mostly persuade the audience or the tobacco company what a terrorist act it is to sell and distribute these lethal weapons. The argument is mostly being made by pathos, or the emotion, but with other aspects tied in here as well. The emotion of the piece is tied to the emotion felt from the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on 9/11. Those who were directly involved in the attack or even those who are patriotic and want the best for their country will have a say in this argument. Some of those who are a part of the tobacco company may have had a big part, but at least a small part in the devastation of the attack. To relate the distribution of cigarettes to the terrorist attacks that killed thousands, it hits home to many, including those on the tobacco side. The argument is also made by logos, or logical. It relates perfectly to one another because tobacco is killing thousands every year, while the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center killed thousands in a single day. Both are preventable, and both are wrong. I believe that it has sufficient information. It was maybe a little farfetched, but it still got the message across. Tobacco isn't necessarily a terrorist attack, but it does show the message that this is a mass killing that is wrong. I believe that it is accurate for the audience. It may be a little farfetched and they may realize that, but they may understand that it is taking people's loved ones away from them and that they are taking part in harming people. It is relevant as well. It draws the point, right in the time that we need it the most. We still have many people dying each year from the affects of tobacco consumption, and this ad is geared towards the audience that kills these people. Hopefully it can help the target audience to rethink what they are doing, and help in the war against tobacco.