More Than OK#SBLI Pepsi Ad

The ad may be a “print” ad (appear in a magazine, newspaper, or on the internet) or a TV ad (commercial) or it can be a series of images in social media (e.g., an influencer’s Instagram account).
2. You must provide a copy of the ad, either through scanning and uploading; taking a digital picture and uploading; giving a website address as a link; or providing screenshots of an Instagram account. Failure to provide a copy of the ad will result in a failing grade for your essay.
3. The ad must feature clear elements of Popular Culture, either in the product being sold, the company itself, the images of the ad, or the celebrity associated with the product. Please be prepared to explain how your ad relates to pop culture.
Examples:
NO -- This Coca-Cola ad does NOT use pop culture to sell its product. Even though you could write a good analysis of its use of pathos, it is not appropriate for this assignment.
YES -- This ad for Coca-Cola is not a generic one. Instead, it uses The Simpsons, who are pop culture figures. It is appropriate for this assignment.
In 400-600 words, you will analyze the ad’s rhetorical appeals of logos, ethos, and pathos by answering these questions, adapted from the Media Literacy lecture:
Who created this ad and what is its purpose? How is it connected to pop culture? What techniques does it use to attract and hold attention? What lifestyles, values, and points of view does it depict? How might different people interpret this message? What is omitted or left out?
In addition to answering the above questions, you should:
1. State what you believe the ad’s argument is – what is it “saying”? – in a thesis sentence that incorporates at least one of the rhetorical appeals. Example: I believe the ad is arguing _________ because of how it employs the ________ appeal.
2. Support your thesis with specific examples based on analysis of the ad in terms of the appeals. Example: When the ad shows ________, this contributes to the ________ appeal because __________.
3. Acknowledge any personal bias that may influence your analysis. Example: I may have reached this conclusion because ___________.
4. Conclude the essay by hypothesizing about the target audience and if you believe the ad will be successful in selling its product. Example: I think the ad targets ________ audience and will likely be ________ in its goal to sell ____________.
Sources are not required for this essay. It should be based on your personal opinion and analysis.
Due Dates and Evaluation
A rubric will be provided during the drafting phase of the essay. The essay grade is up to a total of 100 points, but this includes points assigned for different parts of the work leading up to the final draft, including a dropbox and a peer review. Please see the rubric and the syllabus grade table for details.