Friday, April 6, 2007

Blog 15: Golden Death


This ad uses so many rhetorical strategies including cause and effect, narration, example and illustration, analogy, and definition. First, cause and effect . It saying that McDonald’s food, specifically Big Macs, are very unhealthy for your body particularly your heart. The cause being the food the effect being death, or heart problems. Next, narration is being used. A story is being told that someone is in the hospital in immediate surgery because of heart problems, and as you can see on the heart monitor the renown golden arches are the focal point (cause). Also, example is being used. They are making an example of McDonald’s and the dangers of eating their food because of how unhealthy it is. The obvious analogy is the heart monitor. The “M” is an analogy for a heart attack, also the text “Big Mac Attack” could be seen as an analogy replacing “heart attack”. Definition is demonstrated as well. The ad is defining what McDonald’s food does. The fact that the result from eating their food could be death and/or severe heart problems. Pathos and logs is used a lot in this ad. Pathos is used bringing out emotion. The emotion of fear is demonstrated very wisely in this ad. The fact that what someone thought was an innocent, cheap meal every once in a while could really add up to some serious health problems perhaps even death. It taps into people’s emotions because many fear to be in this situation, being in a hospital, let along having serious surgery while your heart may fail. Logos is obviously used as well. It is telling you to not eat McDonalds or else this will happen so logically you should make the best choice for you and your health. The only original image it portrays in the parody is the golden arches and as said before they are used to represent a heart rate on a heart monitor in a surgery room of an obvious McDonald’s client. They use a very well known icon to show potential death.

3 comments:

Analisa said...

I agree with you, in that this is an effective use of cause and effect. It is implying that if you eat big macs, you will end up with a heart attack. While I at first found it comical, I believe it is supposed to send a serious message while maybe being a little bit comical to the viewers to see the "golden arches" on the heart monitor screen.

Hannah Houck said...

This is a really good ad. It definately uses cause and effect, if you eat a big mac you could die. This is a strong pull using pathos. I don't know anyone who is not afraid to die. I think you did a great job of pointing out the many different forms of rhetoric that this ad uses to push it's point. I agree with Analisa that this ad is humorous when you first look at it, but I think that is the point; by using humor it draws people in, and when they put more attention on it the bigger, more serious message comes out. Great Job!

JAcosta said...

You did an outstanding job with this post. My original response to your ad was comical, but after reading your post I see the seriousness behind it. You made me think twice about ever eating at McDonalds ever again. I totally agree with you on the cause and effect of the ad. You eat McDonalds enough times and you will have health problems down the road or even die. Great Job putting this all together!