In this writing assignment, you are asked to compare and contrast two video advertisements of your choice, paying close attention to the following elements: purpose, audience, author, types of appeal, arrangement and style.

Writing Assignment: Comparison/Contrast of Advertisements

OBJECTIVE: In this writing assignment, you are asked to compare and contrast two video advertisements of your choice, paying close attention to the following elements: purpose, audience, author, types of appeal, arrangement and style. Please use APA style. This is a formal essay, so please do not use colloquialisms, contractions, or the first and second persons (“I,” “you”).

LENGTH: 1200 words minimum.

RECOMMENDED STRUCTURE:  ( but feel free to expand if you wish; nothing less)

1. Introduction
   1. Establish your main topic
   1. Identify the ads
   1. State your thesis
2. Analysis of the first ad
   1. Purpose, audience, author, appeals, arrangement, style
   1. Values/desires?
   1. Stereotypes?
   1. Ideas of normalcy?
3. Analysis of the second ad

[same as #2]

• Conclusion
  • State the result of your analysis and its sociocultural implications
  • Close your text with a memorable sentence

Rubric for Writing Assignment

CONTENT (30%)

• Critical thinking
  • Original ideas – personal contribution to topic
  • Development of topic
  • Meeting the minimum length requirement
• STRUCTURE (20%)
  • Effective introduction
  • Clear, strong paragraphs
  • Thought-provoking conclusion
  • Use of transitions
  • Logical order
• FORMAT (5%)
  • Page layout
  • Title page with running head, title, name, and school name
  • Page numbers
  • Attention-grabbing title
• GRAMMAR (25%)
  • Proper comma use
  • No run-on sentences or fragments
  • Formal language – no colloquialisms
  • Agreement
  • Correct verb tenses
  • Capitalization
• SOURCES AND CITATIONS (20%)
  • At least two sources (the ads)
  • Proper in-text citation in APA format
  • References page in APA format