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Post by Ms. English on Nov 4, 2015 8:13:27 GMT -5
Post your advertisement (either a print ad or a commercial) here. Include the link to the advertisement and a 2-3 sentence analysis of its use of weasel words and how this manipulates or misleads the consumer. Example: Analysis: "Fight" is a common weasel word used in advertisements for cleaning and health and beauty supplies, similar to "act" or "work." This ad claims that Colgate is proven to "fight" germs for 12 hours, but the consumer is given no context as to what it means to "fight" germs. Sometimes people lose fights; this toothpaste could be losing the fight to your germs.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2015 15:56:10 GMT -5
Analysis: The ad does not say how they will save you all that money. "Up to" is a weasel word because that is likely not to be how much you really save, it is just their way of attracting your attention and making you want to check out their company.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2015 16:02:53 GMT -5
This Coke ad is quite meaningless. It implies that Coke is bottled happiness, which is an out and out lie (do I get extra credit?), as Coke is really just fizzy sugar. It also implies that you will enjoy Coke, as it is happiness, and who doesn't want to be happy? Happiness elicits good feelings in people and portrays Coke positively, though the slogan gives no insight into what is so special about Coke.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2015 16:21:38 GMT -5
The weasel word in this ad is the word "virtually" because it's saying that this cleaner basically/almost/kind of makes your dishes spotless. Wouldn't you want cleaner that makes your dishes totally spotless? That word contributes nothing to this ad.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2015 17:03:06 GMT -5
www.walgreens.com/images/adaptive/lp/68965_Allergy_Tier_1658x600.jpgThis ad by Walgreens uses the weasel words "fast" and "relief" (a form of relieve). By using "relief" Walgreens is saying that their allergy medicine will only assist with your allergies, not cure. They also use the word "fast" to grab your attention without looking farther into what the allergy medicine might do.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2015 17:04:34 GMT -5
Kellogg's is claiming that Rice Krispies will "help support" your child's immunity. This phrasing however does not guarantee any actual enhancement to one's immunity as immunity cannot be supported. This gives the reader no indication as to what Rice Krispies actually do to their immunity with "helps" as the main weasel word. Come on Kellogg's, I thought you were better than this...
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2015 19:15:45 GMT -5
Analysis: This advertisement claims that it is a "natural bliss". The company doesn't detail what they mean by "natural bliss". This claim could mean multiple things, and the product may not even be made from natural substances.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2015 19:41:26 GMT -5
So the weasel word here would be "powerful", I mean any paper towel brand I've used was the same as the next one. There's no real "power" to paper towel.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2015 19:43:00 GMT -5
Analysis: First off, that lady in the corner looks like she is trying to absorb my soul. Anyways the whole little slogan they got going on is completely tantalizing with no basis for saying much. "Stuff" doesn't even imply that they're talking about Gold Bond Ultimate but gives ambiguity to the product they're supposedly selling. "Works" is not even clearly defining what it actually "Works" to do. The advertisers could have made their slogan "This Stuff Really Works At Taking Your Money And We Capitalize Every Word To Show Emphasis". This is why we need a little shake, and a little tingle.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2015 19:43:35 GMT -5
Purex uses the weasel words "new and improved" but does not state what about the product was actually improved. The difference could just be something like a new packaging with the same product. Not stating what is improved leads consumers to believe that this product is different from an older, cheaper version of the same thing so that they will buy the more expensive version.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2015 20:05:06 GMT -5
In this advertisement for Trident gum, the weasel words "fight" and "super useful" are used to build the gum up to be more than it actually is. The advertisement says that Trident will help "fight cavities" but does not state how it will do so, and also describes the gum to be "super useful" but, again, does not offer any examples or tell us how it can be useful. These things draw in an audience and make them believe that Trident gum can accomplish much more than just freshening your breath.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2015 20:29:41 GMT -5
This ad is misleading to the consumer because how can one brand of cranberry juice claim they have the "classic" brand. Did they invent cranberry juice? Is theirs more original than Ocean Sprays? Does the classic have a more refined taste? The world may never know.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2015 20:32:25 GMT -5
This Cascade add uses virtually in the exact way that Lutz talks about it in his essay. This add is saying that the product is almost but not actually spotless, most people would want a dish soap that will leave there dishes spotless not almost but not actually spotless.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2015 20:39:05 GMT -5
This advertisement uses weasel words like "blow your mind" and "it just tastes better". These imply good things but doesn't say how it will blow your mind away or what makes it taste better.This misleads the customer because they think it is going to be super great but they have no idea why.
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Post by Emma Greschak on Nov 4, 2015 20:42:52 GMT -5
link to imageThis advertisement is a prime example of weasel words. For example, it claims to provide inflammation "relief", but this doesn't mean they're guaranteeing that it will treat, cure, or even make a significant change in any inflammation you might be having. "Relief" is very subjective. The ad is also claiming that the product is a "wellness" drink (which has no legal or medical binding) and it "helps" the body. (To do what? How much will it help? What exactly is it helping with? This is a weasel word.) And as if this ad wasn't bad enough, it continues these bogus claims by stating that the drink can "Relieve pain, reduce swelling in joints and muscles, and improve breathing". "Relieve", "reduce", and "improve" are all weasel words which have no significance or argumentative brevity.
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