As I was sitting at my desk pondering as to what I should
write my rhetoric blog about, I remembered a specific commercial that I saw a
quite a long time ago. The commercial was an advertisement for 5 React Gum.
It begins with a narrator saying “Experience new 5 React
Gum,” and continues to show three actors going on what appears to be quite a
trip. Now, I’m going to pose you a question: what is the logic behind seeing an
octopus while chewing 5 Gum? Unless you’re on something else with a little more
of a kick while chewing it, I would say that there isn’t any. The commercial
doesn’t even describe what the gum tastes like; it just plays on your emotions,
making you think that this new and exciting gum must be great considering how the
actors experienced it. I mean come on, who wouldn’t like to a see a giant
octopus or bird flowing above their head in a black liquid form? I know I would,
but I could see why one wouldn’t; it could be a little frightening, but on to
the matter at hand.
Using pathos in commercials to appeal to an audience has
been met with great success for ages, and I have to admit, it is a good business
strategy. How many people do you think bought their product, not even knowing
what it may taste like, just because they thought that the commercial was cool
and edgy? I for one know that my little brother bought it just for that sole reason-
fourteen year olds meh.
I didn't fully understand the ink-blot themed commercial either, and when I see it, I tend to disregard it. However, I think that the message they were try to portay is that the experience is different for everyone. Sadly, their image didn't make sense. Just how is it different for everyone? Does everyone think it has a different taste? I highly doubt it. So how can everyone react to the same chewing gum differently?
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