Question

1. What is the purpose of each of the two political advertisements? What do the ads want you, the voter, to do, and how do you know that? What reasons do the ads offer in support of this purpose?

2. Describe the perspectives behind the two political ads. Then, for each ad, explain how its perspective leads to examples of bias.

3. Identify at least one example of pathos in either of the two advertisements. Explain how this appeal helps the campaign's purpose.

4. Identify at least one example of ethos in either of the two advertisements. Explain how this appeal helps the campaign's purpose.

5. Identify at least one example of logos in either of the two advertisements. Explain how this appeal helps the campaign's purpose.

6. Describe how either of the advertisements uses media other than the spoken word to be persuasive. Do these examples of media use pathos, logos, or ethos or a combination of appeals? Why?

7. Identify at least three rhetorical devices, such as analogy, juxtaposition, antithesis, zeugma, or figurative language, in either of the advertisements. Explain how these devices help each campaign's purpose.

Answer 1

1. The purpose of each political advertisement is to persuade and encourage the voter to act in favor of a particular candidate or party. They do this by presenting their candidate or party in the best possible light, and providing reasons and evidence to support their argument.

2. The perspective behind the two political ads is that of their respective candidates or parties. In each ad, bias is shown through the selection of facts, emotional words, and persuasive methods that support their agenda.

3. An example of pathos in either of the two advertisements could be the use of emotional language or storytelling to evoke a response from the viewer. This appeal helps to convey the importance of the issue at hand and encourages viewers to take action.

4. An example of ethos in either of the two advertisements could be the inclusion of facts, figures, and expert opinion which establishes the credibility of the candidate or party and their stance on the issue. This appeal helps to demonstrate the candidate or party's competence and trustworthiness, and encourages viewers to trust them.

5. An example of logos in either of the two advertisements could be the use of logical arguments and evidence to support the candidate or party's position. This appeal helps to strengthen the candidate or party's argument and encourages viewers to agree with their reasoning.

6. Either of the advertisements might use media other than the spoken word to be persuasive. These examples of media can use appeals such as pathos, logos, or ethos, or a combination of these appeals. For example, the advertisement might use images and sound effects to create an emotional response in the viewer, or it might include statistics and logical arguments to make its point.

7. Examples of rhetorical devices in either of the advertisements could include analogy, juxtaposition, antithesis, zeugma, or figurative language. These devices help to strengthen the candidate's or party's message by making it more vivid and memorable. For example, analogies allow the viewer to relate to the message in a more personal way, while pictorial or metaphorical language can help to evoke strong emotions in the viewer.