Persuasive Texts

1. Commercials

2. Print Advertising

3. Editorials

TV and Radio Commercials

Television Commercial Script

Stress! It’s the common complaint of most people—young, old, and everyone in between. What does stress do? It tightens your muscles and gives you headaches. What can you do? Order our newly designed, patented NeoNeck Massager. Made from organic cotton and pure, soft plasticine, it will send gentle vibrations in an even flow to relax your tight muscles. Get the NeoNeck Massager today and make your stress go away!

Practice

• Complete the commercial worksheet.

Bellwork(4/30/12)

Read the following radio commercial.

Ancient Egyptian Queen Nefertiti was known for her perfect beauty. Her long swan-like neck was often adorned with a beautiful, elongated gold bead called Nefer in her honor. Now women everywhere can own the same kind of queenly bead. Encase your Nefer pendant in your choice of yellow or white gold, or silver. Each pendant is fit for royalty.

Which sentence is an appropriate and effective conclusion for this radio commercial?

•A. These sensational Nefer beads will make you feel like a queen.

•B. You really don't want to be the only one without this bead in your jewelry box.

•C. How can you turn this beautiful jewelry down?

•D. Even if you aren't familiar with Queen Nefertiti, you will like her jewelry.

TEST WEDNESDAY!

Print Advertisements

Newspaper/Magazine Ads, Billboards, and Catalog Ads

Newspaper and Magazine Advertisements

• Designed to be read– Use a headline to catch your attention– Longer headlines that give more information

are more effective– The body is similar to tv/radio commercial

scripts

Amazing New Discovery Lets High School Students Learn While Sleeping!

That’s right! Learn while you sleep! Confirmed by the latest scientific research, the brain’s amazing subconscious ability allows you to learn even while sleeping. Our patented new program, Sleep-n’Learn, easily doubles or triples the knowledge you can retain in your high school subjects. How can you tap into the power of your subconscious? Simply download learning modules, and sleep your way to better grades!

Billboards

• Since billboards are seen at a distance and while driving, must be:– short, easy to read– eye-catching – include only the most important info:

• (easy-to-read phone #s, exit #s, radio #s, web addresses, etc.)

End-of-Class Wrap Up• Read the following magazine advertisement.

You’re a senior! You made it! Why not make your ring as unique as your own personality? With a ring from Kominskis, you can choose the quality and cut of your favorite gem, the metal you prefer, and a unique emblem from hundreds of choices. Why settle for the same old designs? Choose to be different. Come into Kominskis today.

Which of the following is the most persuasive headline for this advertisement?

A.For People Who Want a Special Ring

B.The Jeweler with Infinite Variety

C.Kominskis: The Unique Choice for Senior Rings

D.So Many Choices, So Little Time

Bellwork(5/1/12)

Which of the following would be the most effective and persuasive text for an interstate billboard?

A.Do you need extra money? Would you like to work from home? For as little as 1 hour per day, you can earn up to $1000 a month.

B.Work at home 1 hour a day; $1000 a month. Call 1-555-GET-CASH.

C.If you are willing to work just 1 hour a day, you can make $1000 in your own home. Work in your pajamas, and get paid fast. Call 1-555-GET-CASH.

D.Work from home. Make good money! Only minutes a day.

Catalog Ads

• a catalog is a booklet that contains a list of products and their descriptions– give a persuasive

description of each product (what it does, what it looks like, how it can help, etc.)

– 2nd person– persuasive ad words– memorable ending

The most emotionally powerful sense—smell—links you to your ability to concentrate and relax. Now you can access these abilities at school with our new Locker Scents. This amazing new product hooks into your locker and releases the scent you need when you need it! Stressed? Touch the purple tab for a gentle lavender scent, organic and calming. Need extra energy? Touch the forest green tab for an energizing spurt of basil. Order Locker Scents today to access the smells of sweet success.

Catalog Ad Example

Locker Scents Air Purifier Item #10037-P

Practice

• Now create your own catalog advertisement for a product.

• Focus on the description of the item this time (what it looks like, how it works, what it will do fof you).

• Don’t forget to include the other advertising techniques studied, however!

ReviewChoose the most effective catalog description.

A.Use Yearbook Maker to create a special school yearbook that is perfect for you. We offer so much more than other companies. Yearbook Maker offers on-line help and applications to make your purchase easier. Capture the memories of your special year in a yearbook you design with Yearbook Maker.

B.I have used Yearbook maker and love my new yearbook. It has all color pictures and extra autograph pages. It was very affordable, and my friends love it, too.

C.Want to remember all your friends from school this year? Get the award-winning software program Yearbook Maker. We offer affordable, individualized packages that allow you to create your own unique designs and layouts. Check out our online services to see how Yearbook Maker can help you save the best memories of your school year.

D.Students need a yearbook with pictures of their friends and all the events of the year. They can get all that and more from Yearbook Maker. This software package is not necessarily for beginners, but computer experts will really love it. With Yearbook Maker, a school can decide on its own designs and features to create the yearbook that is just right.

Fact and Opinion Review

__ 1. William Faulkner was the greatest writer of his time.

__ 2. George Washington was the first President of the United States.

__ 3. Coke tastes better than Pepsi.

__ 4. Pizza is the best food on the planet.

__ 5. February is the shortest month of the year.

Editorials• an editorial is an article in a

newspaper that is based on opinion

• similar to persuasive essays—purpose is to sway readers’ opinions or express an opinion

• contains a topic sentence, supporting details, and a conclusion sentence

• use facts dressed in strong language to express an opinion

• Conclusions provide solutions to the problems or memorable endings

We simply can not afford Jerry Blueville as President of the United States. It is clear from his speeches that he intends to increase taxes, increase spending on domestic programs, and increase the size of the federal government. This Robin Hood approach to government policy—take from the rich and give to the poor—is nothing new. It has been tried many times before because the poor love it! This policy has never worked, and it will only serve to damage an already weak economy. Don’t bankrupt by voting for Jerry Blueville.

We are at war, not because we chose to invade Afghanistan or Iraq, but because fanatical Muslims chose to go to war with us. No one can say that the attack on the Twin Towers was a simple act of terrorism; it was a declaration of war on the United States and our way of life. After all, New York is one of the largest cities in the U.S. IT is far better to engage the enemy where they live rather than in our own streets. Over the years, some Americans have proven they do not have the stomach for war. It is easy to be a pacifist in the safety and comfort of your own home while the combat is half a world away. But what if the fighting was in Biloxi rather than in Bagdad? Would your opinion change then? After all, New York, one of the largest cities in the U.S., is the symbol of economic and cultural vitality of America.

Editorial Example

One thing that really burns me up is the dog walkers in my neighborhood that use my front lawn as a potty place. I do not blame the dogs; they are just doing what comes naturally. But the owners should know better. It’s just plain rude to leave souvenirs of your stroll with pooch all over the neighborhood. If you own the dog, you own the poop. Do the right thing; use a scoop and take the poop with you.

Practice

• Write a one-paragraph editorial based on an issue from the Hattiesburg American.

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/

Additional topics:

http://homeworktips.about.com/od/essaywriting/a/100-Persuasive-Essay-Topics.htm

(1) Our new candidate for Mayor wants to be known as the “Candidate for Change.” (2) And the more I hear her speak, the more I am inclined to agree with her. (3) She’s for change all right; she changes her position on the issues almost on a daily basis. (4) So far she has changed her mind on several things. (5) I can hardly wait to see what she changes next. (6) My greatest concern is that if she is elected, her campaign promises will be soon forgotten because she has changed her mind. (7) Perhaps we do need changes, but I’d like to see less changing of the mind and more changing to improve our city!

Which of the following sentence revisions makes the paragraph more persuasive?

A.(2) And the more I hear her speak, the more I like her.

B.(3) She isn’t for change at all because she can’t make up her mind.

C.(4) So far she has changed her mind on taxes, transportation, and law enforcement.

D.(7) Perhaps we do need changes, but then again, maybe things are okay the way they are.