Next time I browse through a magazine I don’t think I will be stopping to consider rhetorical strategies being used on me. I won’t pause to reflect on the ad’s appeal to my subconscious. That being said, I have learned that rhetorical strategies and marketing methods do, in fact, exist. They are being used on me, whether I stop to acknowledge it or not, and they’re used extensively! I can’t honestly say that I think there will be a noticeable difference in the way I look at ads now. But an unnoticeable difference? Now that’s a possibility. I think it’s possible that this knowledge I have gained has been imprinted on my mind, and therefore become a candidate for my subconscious. Before, ads attempted to subtly influence me, and persuade me to buy their products. I think it’s possible that now that I have this background knowledge about their tactics, I might have built up a barrier to their techniques. Perhaps I won’t be able to be influenced as easily as I may have in the past. Maybe if I notice that I’ve stopped purchasing as much stuff, then I’ll know that I have become immune to the persuasive power of advertisers! . . .Okay, maybe complete immunity is unlikely. But regardless, I suppose that I am now able to analyze the rhetoric in an ad if I really ever find that to be necessary. But this is a writing class, and I think the visual rhetoric assignment has been about more than just being an ad critic. I think I will be able to use this information to help me write better. If I can understand how advertisers influence me, then I will be able write in a way that will be better at influencing others.
So three cheers for rhetoric.
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