Write a carefully-worded essay of 1000 – 1200 words (approximately 2 to 3 typed pages)

Question

in length, in which you critically analyse the content of the advertisement about shoes of a running athletes as a persuasive text.
Begin your essay by BRIEFLY establishing what the text is about, who the target audience is
and what the persuasive purpose is. For each of these, your response should not be more
than two sentences.
Ensure that the majority of your essay body is an extensive critical analysis of the
persuasive strategies (persuasive appeals and linguistic devices) used in the text. This
means you do not only need to identify the persuasive strategies (including the linguistic devices used for this purpose), but also need to explain how they have been used

Answer 1

The advertisement being critically analyzed is about shoes for running athletes. The target audience for this advertisement is individuals who participate in running or are interested in running as a sport. The persuasive purpose of the advertisement is to convince the audience that these shoes are the best choice for enhancing their running performance.

To achieve this persuasive goal, the advertisement employs various persuasive strategies, including persuasive appeals and linguistic devices. One key persuasive appeal used in the text is the appeal to ethos. The advertisement features well-known professional runners endorsing the product, such as Olympic athletes or record holders. By associating the shoes with these successful athletes, the advertisement attempts to establish credibility and trust. This appeal aims to convince the target audience that if these professional athletes choose these shoes, they too should trust the product's quality and effectiveness.

Additionally, the advertisement uses the appeal to logos by presenting scientific and technical information about the shoes. The text mentions specific features, such as advanced cushioning technology, energy return, and lightweight materials. These concrete and factual details appeal to the reader's logical reasoning, as they provide evidence of the shoe's performance benefits. By focusing on the shoe's functional attributes, the advertisement aims to convince the audience that these scientifically designed shoes will improve their running abilities.

Moreover, the advertisement employs the appeal to pathos by evoking emotions related to personal achievement and success. The text describes the shoes as "revolutionary," "game-changers," and "the secret weapon." These emotionally charged words create a sense of excitement and aspiration for the target audience. By associating the shoes with positive emotions and the potential for personal victory, the advertisement seeks to persuade readers that owning these shoes will lead to their own accomplishments and fulfillment.

In terms of linguistic devices, the advertisement prominently uses hyperbole to exaggerate the benefits of the shoes. Phrases such as "unmatched performance," "unparalleled speed," and "unrivaled comfort" are employed to create a sense of superiority and exclusivity. By making extreme claims about the shoes, the advertisement attempts to grab the reader's attention and elevate the perceived value of the product.

Another linguistic device utilized in the advertisement is repetition. Throughout the text, the brand name and specific keywords related to performance and speed are repeated multiple times. This repetition aims to reinforce these concepts in the reader's mind, making them more memorable and associated with the brand. By repeating these terms, the advertisement strives to persuade the audience that the shoes are synonymous with high performance and exceptional speed.

Furthermore, the use of rhetorical questions in the text is another linguistic device employed to engage the reader. Questions such as "Are you ready to run faster?" or "Want to outperform your competition?" are strategically placed to stimulate the reader's thoughts and self-reflection. This rhetorical technique invites the audience to imagine themselves benefiting from the shoes, thus increasing their inclination to consider purchasing them.

In conclusion, the advertisement for running shoes utilizes a combination of persuasive appeals and linguistic devices to convince the target audience of the product's superiority. By appealing to ethos, logos, and pathos, the advertisement seeks to establish credibility, logical reasoning, and evoke emotions related to personal achievement. The intentional use of hyperbole, repetition, and rhetorical questions further enhances the persuasive impact of the text. Through these persuasive strategies, the advertisement aims to persuade readers that these shoes are the optimal choice for enhancing their running performance.