Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Week 11: Persuasive Messages, cont'd

Today, after a lively discussion of the Writers Guild strike, we followed up on last week's viewing and deconstructed two more persuasive video pieces:
I took a quick look at the first drafts of the persuasive-message scripts, and they looked quite good so far. Remember that this assignment is not to write a PSA with a logical appeal (e.g., driving while drunk is dangerous; junk food isn't healthy). That is a fine place to start, but your persuasive strategy (as described in your mini-treatment) must promise or affirm a transformation in the viewer, and you must clearly define how that transformation is made appealing to your audience based on what you understand about their self-image, their values, their deep desires and fears, etc.

Susanne sent me a link to a great article outlining 15 common advertising strategies; you might want to give it a read.

Also, there is a reading listed on the syllabus, but we're going to hold off on that for a bit. Just focus on your writing this week, and feel free to e-mail me if you run into snags.

P.S. Shannon requested some class feedback on his radio show. Take a break and listen to some clips online (they're easy to play in the browser) and send him your comments (check the Class Contact sheet).

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