Monday, 18 November 2013

Task 14: Fairclough

Advertising builds a relationship between producer and receiver by constructing a product image that in tern helps to position the receiver as a potential consumer.


This Barnado's advert creates synthetic personalisation via dramatic graphological imagery making the audience feel emotionally connected and sympathetic. The image of a baby in a dirty room holding a needle  is extremely shocking, no parent would want their child to be alone in such conditions so instantly a personal connection amongst the producer and the consumer (and deeper still, to the customer's children) is built, this applies to a wide customer base however feels incredibly personal to each individual. Another interesting aspect of this is the contrast between imagery and lexics, for example "Age 22" is placed above the image of the endangered baby, this pragmatically implies that as a result of neglect/abuse the individual is forever trapped in a state of vulnerability emotionally and in extreme cases individuals are scarred for life (various research into this has proved such a theory). Such a dramatic truth into abuse naturally pulls at anyone's heart strings, this builds an attachment for the audience/customer to the child in danger and further to the charity. For the charity to appeal approachable and not just a company the pronoun "we" is used repeatedly, this comforts the audience as the pronoun feels incredibly more personal and warming than say the company's name being repeated.

Now, an advert such as this Revlon advertisement has the same aspects to appeal to an audience and create a relationship however, uses said aspects to a differing affect. Instead of shocking and distressing imagery, because the aim is to sell a product, a beautiful celebrity who'd appeal to many and the public could feel attached to showcases the product. Pragmatics in graphology grow further to include the use of Red in text, red has connotations of sexuality and passion something women want, this would then transfer onto the actual product this personalisation for women forms an attachment between customer and producer as they feel understood. This advert also made use of the pronoun "you", this involves the reader as they feel they're being addressed personally, when the customer feels they are being spoken to instead of informed they are more likely to be attracted to the product as this would feel considerably friendlier and warmer.

Sunday, 10 November 2013

Asymmetrical Conversations

Equal in Power
Lauren: Hey babe
Louise: Hey lul
Lauren:You done the art work?
Louise:Fuck...
Lauren:Me neither
Lauren: Hahaha |
Louise: Hahaha  |

Commentry: Equal power is shown by the use of cursives. Cursives give an undoubtable amount of informality common with situations of mutual power, especially between friends. Incomplete sentences also add to the informality "you done the art work?" the lack of the word "have" shows certain amount of comfortability between the participants, that wouldn't be present with someone of more or less power than yourself.  Turn taking is equal, there is also no real difference in amount spoken between participants showing equality in conversational power.

Less power than myself
Louise: It would be nice if you were on time, for once.
Year 7: Errr (.) I'm sorry
Louise:Are you ready to read?
Year 7:Yes
Louise: Ok. When you're ready, start.
Year 7: What's that word?
Louise: That word is "Sometimes"
Year 7: Thank you.

Commentary: Asymmetrical conversation is shown by the presence of fillers such as "err" the participant with less power is typically more under pressure so nervous signs such as fillers are common. You can also clearly see who is control of topic by the interrogative sentences on Louise's part.

More power than myself
Teacher: Where is your homework?
Louise: I (.) er (.) Left it at home.
Teacher: Well thats unnaceptable.
Louise: I'm Sorry.
Teacher: I expect it on my desk tomorrow morning. You need to work harder. Do your homework on time.

Commentary: As before the conversation topic is controlled by interrogative sentences, as a result of the intimidation caused the less powerful participant is shown with fillers and pauses. The use of imperatives also gives a sense of power as it lacks politeness and orders show hierarchy between the two participants.