Discuss how the language features, both written and visual, aim to persuade readers of this advertisement to think and behave. 

Guiding question: Discuss how the language features, both written and visual, aim to persuade readers of this advertisement to think and behave. 

 

The text was produced in 1996, this plays an important role in interpreting the techniques used by the author. This is because in 1996 there was a clear gender imbalance, favouring the man. The language presented shows evidence of the patriarchal system of the entertainment industry. The ‘Passive Man’s Guide to Seduction’ is a book, which gives an informal magazine article aimed to make the reader believe that the advice provided is factual suggesting that the reader’s current attitude to ‘picking up’ women is incorrect. Provoking customers/readers to purchase the book. The article appeals mainly to single middle-aged men who can influence the purchasing of the book to their peers, increasing the validity of the article. The article is meant for middle-aged single men, however, due to it’s informal language and punctuation, the article suggests it is also intended for older males. 

 

What most appeals to men of the article are the way the author writes and his literary choices. If his purpose is to get the attention of as many people as possible, in order to do that, he has to write about something that can actually catch the public’s mind, and what better topic than an extract of a guide book that tells men how to attract women. If you join the topic with a clear, firm and secure way of writing, you’ll attract men as mosquitos with honey. All the things said by the author wander around one of the biggest generalizations made in history, in which case involves women, besides, how could this advertisement be effective without a little of stereotype; when men see “all women”, this makes them think that they have a bigger chance out there of getting one of those cheap objects that the author keep talking about. If we join the generalization, all the stereotypes and the portrayal made about women, we get a picture of a woman as a contest winning prize, as if the pleasure for men is an object. There is a repetition of exclamation marks in heading throughout the text giving the appearance that the author is giving an unbelievable offer to the primary audience. The words “Absolutely nothing” have been capitalised and this given the impression that women can be easy targets therefore a man is not required to put any effort in. Once again, the status of women is defined and they are conformed to stereotypical concerns and work that have been defined by such texts. The image shows the man, relaxed and almost unmotivated, thus the image provides sufficient evidence to the reader that these statements are true. and as this attitude in males specifically in this period of time with its social norms are not as mentioned in the advert, the reader is more inclined to believe it and furthermore persuaded to find out more, doing so by buying the book. Furthermore, another aspect that tempts the reader to take action in buying the book. The messages within the text are insightful and are interesting to any male readers such as “Franklin taps the psyche… and shows… why attracting women has never been easier.”Creating the illusion of the ease that these tips and tricks will provide. 

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