- Summarize this article in a paragraph that identifies the author's thesis statement and the relevant ideas provided which help to inform this thesis.
- This article uses multiple forms of the rhetorical triangle to inform and connect with the reader. Using the example statements below, identify these components. Then evaluate the effectiveness and explain your reasoning.
a. "When I first studied marketing, when I started my first business, I was told to find people's pain points.
b. "One thing I noticed over the years, is that of the thousands of people who have emailed me for advice in on for or another.."
c. "Like the college kid who goes to college expecting to go to insano pool parties with bikini-clad women on a daily basis and is then disappointed when he feels socially awkward because he has to go to class and study hard subjects and make new friends and constantly be unsure of himself because he's never lived on his own before."
d. "I spent many years feeling frustrated and as though something must be inherently wrong with me."
e. "people only buy something if they believe it will solve a problem. Therefore, if you want to sell more stuff than there are problems, you have to encourage people to believe there are problems where there are none."
- In the article, the author describes what Bernays calls "the invisible government". Explain this concept and how it ties to our insecurities. Provide a relevant example in our current society/current events.
- The discussion of "marketing to your insecurities" is represented in the form of advertising. In your opinion, do these insecurities exist outside of simply buying products? How can this cigarette smoking parade example be a metaphor for other social or cultural scenarios? (IE: think to our discussions on social movements, political opinions, the events we discussed in class)
- Do you find this author credible in their position and the argument they are making? Why or why not? What additional information did you find to help formulate your opinion?
