Ad analysis!

This Shhhh is bananas! B-A-N-A-N-A-S! Today's advertisements in magazines and television often give us a deeper message than what the image is that the ad shows. Most ads are misleading and often play upon sexual desires to sell their products to the viewers drooling at companies ads and fingertips. Most ads instead of representing the product, companies have a celebrity or idol do all the representing the ads need in skimpy clothing and bodies that could make any reader interested in even an ad for boogers! In the particular ad selected, this ad embodies what almost every ad your eye comes across, Good Ole' Sex APPEAL!

Gwen Stefani, lead singer of the 90's hit rock band No Doubt and solo recording artist, takes center of the ad for her own perfume line's L.A.M.B. Fragrance. Stefani is in a risque tight outfit that includes an extremely wet, see-through white t-shirt and shorts that almost appear as underwear. Gwen's red hot lipstick is untouched and her lips are parted as if the quote next to her mouth, "I Want You All Over Me", is what is actually coming out of those luminous lips. Underneath Gwen's thighs stands an open box of her L.A.M.B. fragrance. Gwen appears to be popping out of the multicolor box and seems to be drenched in perfume. The background is a nice blue that fades into an almost white-blue as it extends to the bottom. In almost unnoticeable font is the fragrance's name and brand.

This ad is very attractive to the nature of the human eye. First of all, it's got a beautiful woman on the ad. No matter who you are, you are bound to look at how beautiful the model on the ad looks. Gwen catches any wandering reader's eye in her skin tight little number she is wearing. Gwen Stefani is also a celebrity that many look up to and no matter what she was selling, they would buy! Even an eraser, her fan base would most likely buy. The ad also captivates the eye's sense of color. The colors of this ad are very different and attractive towards readers. The radiant bright blues stand out, but do not take over the ad. The ad uses a lot of girly colors that attract the women readers. Reds, yellows, black, white, and different shades of blues are very nice colors that blend really well and are a sight for sore eyes. The colors may not attract men, but Gwen Stefani's clothes being all wet, sure might!

As all ads seem to play with mind's of the consumers, this ad follows the same path. Taking America's sick thoughts of what beauty and sexiness looks like this ad puts gorgeous, luminous Gwen Stefani smack dab right in the center of the ad. The ad feeds off of sex appeal instead of feeding of the product. By putting the quote "I Want You All Over Me" screams that this perfume makes you feel so sexually attractive and you'll smell so amazing men will be instantly attracted! Although the quote is from one of her songs, I doubt that is what readers are thinking about when they read the quote. The quote seems to scream if you buy this product anyone can fall in love with you, even Gwen Stefani. The perfume may smell fantastic, but selling the product with sex really doesn't represent what the product is about.

Although this ad is basically depending on the celebrity instead of the product, the ad design is genius! Having the background just blue fading lighter down the page really looks nice, but also doesn't distract the readers from the center. Looking at the ad it's almost as if Gwen is the main point of focus instead of the perfume product. Gwen takes over this ad and is way more noticeable than the perfume box and bottle. That is exactly what the advertisers want. Gwen is very distracting, but after consumers look at her, they might eventually look at the bottle and find interest.

Other than Gwen Stefani this ad only shows the perfume bottle. With only using two images this ad is very different than other ads. It's flashy, but not in the way most ads do. There is not beach in the background or two people making out wearing some type of deodorant. This ad is powerful enough without using too many images. The saying less is more. The less you dress Gwen and the less you put other items than the product the better the ad will be admired by viewers.

"I Want You All Over Me" is the only other wording except for the tiny almost unnoticeable "the premiere L.A.M.B. fragrance". The lettering is really small, but somewhat noticeable after you stop staring at the chick who's white t-shirt is wet. Other than a wet t-shirt wearing Gwen, the "I Want You All Over Me" makes the males interested in the ad as well. Usually a guy wouldn't want to look at a perfume ad. This ad's amazing word choices would make male viewers VERY interested. And what male wouldn't have the fantasy of having the possibility of Gwen Stefani popping out of their girlfriend/mother/grandmother's perfume bottle? The sexual wording of that quote really makes women interested too. They might feel that if they wear this perfume they would be more attractive to men. It sounds silly, but that''s the power of this ad!

Gwen popping out of any box in any place you are at might be an amazing fantasy. This ad really accentuates on that fantasy! Sex sells! This ad is just screaming sex and plays off people's sexual wants and emotions. With that quote, "I Want You All Over Me", almost everyone can relate to that. Almost every viewer can relate with wanting a partner or having a crush that they just want all over them. This ad plays off those wants and human needs with having Gwen Stefani appear to want someone too. Readers might be able to relate to that quote that represents sexual lonliness and wants causing boost in a product's sale that really has nothing to do with their wants or needs.

Although this ad is very beautiful, it also depicts women in a sexist way. Once again advertisers feel the need to put a beautiful, barely clothed woman on their ad to sell. By doing that, it puts so much pressure on many buyers to feel beautiful. Why on Earth does a perfume ad need a blond chick in a wet white t-shirt? Why does it have to be wet? Why can't she be dressed in just a WHITE t-shirt? Why? Well, because having a blonde, beautiful wet t-shirt girl on an ad is unfortunately what attract the eyes of anyone nowadays.

This ad may be sexist and misleading, but by doing so the product will sell well. Putting a beautiful celebrity, wonderfully colored background, and sexual quote in an ad sells the product. Even if the product may not be as glamorous as the ad makes it appear. "No Doubt" I will not be purchasing this product!

Ad analysis pre-writing.

• How does your ad appeal to the reader?

Well, first off, it has Gwen Stefani in the ad! (Famous singer.) Second of all, she is in a wet t-shirt and making some sexy face. Also, she is popping out of a really pretty perfume bottle that is rainbow that attracts the eye.

• What assumptions does your ad make about women and men; children, teenagers, and adults; blue-collar vs. white-collar careers; and the like?

That if women buy this perfume they can be sexy like Gwen. If men buy it, maybe they think Gwen Stefani will pop out of the bottle. Haha.

• What trends does your ad capitalize on?

Well, the ad uses many girly colors like turquoise blue, stripes, and the perfume bottle is somewhat of a rainbow. Also, it shows sex appeal. I mean, Gwen's shirt is completely drenched with water. Also, her outfit is very cute and skimpy!

• How does your ad manipulate and exploit human needs and desires?

I feel the ad feeds off sex appeal more than sells the perfume. People feed off that more than product placement. Put a hot girl/guy on any ad and things will sell. Putting the quite "I want you all over me" is a very strong, sexual quote to put in an ad. That quote is from one of her songs, but I don't think a lot of people would be thinking that.

• Which audience does your ad target (consider the magazine in which it appears)? How does it reflect that audience's interests, concerns, socio-economic standing, career choice, lifestyle, and the like?

The magazine ad was in "Glamour" magazine. So, the ad is mostly aimed towards women, young and older. The audience in that book might look at the ad and want to feel more sexy and by looking at that perfume, it might lead them to believe that it can happen by buying a dose of Gwen Stefani's perfume.

• How does your ad employ visual detail? How do these elements represent the product and/or its image and how do they reveal attitude towards the audience and those values that audience holds?

Well, the background is blue, so it doesn't take away from the product or Gwen Stefani's wet outfit. Gwen is almost way more noticeable than the bottle. She catches your eye more than the bottle does and that is exactly what the ad wanted to do.

• How does the ad's text contribute to the appeal? How do the diction and key terms reveal attitude towards the audience and those values that audience holds?

"I Want You All Over Me" is the only other wording except for the tiny almost unoticeable "the premiere L.A.M.B. fragrance". The lettering is really small, but somewhat noticeable after you stop staring at the chick who's white t-shirt is wet. The "I Want You All Over Me" makes the males interested in the ad as well. Usually a guy wouldn't want to look at a perfume ad. This ad would make guys VERY interested. The sexual wording of that quote really makes women interested too. They might feel that if they wear this perfume they would be more attractive to men. It sounds silly, but it's the truth!

• What is the general ambience of the advertisement? What mood does it create? How does it do this?

The mood of this ad is very sexual. Well, by putting a risque dressed Gwen wearing a wet white t-shirt might do the trick!

• What is the design of the advertisement? How are the basic components or elements of the advertisement arranged?

The design uses a lot of nice colors and really blends well. The product and Gwen are placed directly in the center and with no background image except two quotes, it really helps from not distracting the viewers!

• What is the relationship that exists between pictorial elements and written material, and what does this tell us?

This tells us if you buy the perfume, Women: You will feel more attractive. Men: Either Gwen Stefani will pop out the bottle... or if you buy this your girlfriend/mom/Grandma can smell like Gwen.

• What is the spatiality in the advertisement? Is there a lot of white space or is the advertisement full of graphic and written elements (that is, busy)?

The background is not busy, but the main focus is very busy!

• What signs and symbols do we find? What role do the various signs and symbols play in the advertisement?

Well, the L.A.M.B. is the only wording that might make people wonder what it means and they might look it up or find out.

• If there are figures (men, women, children, animals) in the advertisement, what are they like? What can be said about their facial expressions, poses, hairstyle, age, sex, hair color, ethnicity, education, occupation, relationships (of one to the other), and so on?

Well, Gwen and a bottle of perfume are the only objects in this ad, other than perfume splashing off of Gwen. Gwen is making a very happy, but sexual face and her body is positioned very sexually. Gwen's hair is wet so it's all over and she's blonde! What can go wrong with that, boys? Since she is pretty famous she's well known to female and male readers.

• What does the background tell us? Where is the action in the advertisement taking place and what significance does this background have?

The action of the ad is right smack-dab in the middle with Gwen and a bottle of perfume! The background's significance is to be pretty, but not to distract the audience from where the real action is at!

• What action is taking place in the advertisement, and what significance does this action have? (This might be described as the plot of the advertisement.)

Well, Gwen Stefani is popping out of a perfume box. She is soaked and doing a sexual pose. Since she popped out of a perfume bottle she is wet and dripping of perfume. This image makes women interested just as much as men. Women probably feel this perfume will cause them to feel sexy and wanted. Men want that fantasy.

• What theme or themes do we find in the advertisement? What is the advertisement about? (The plot of an advertisement may involve a man and a woman drinking but the theme might be jealousy, faithlessness, ambition, passion, etc.)

The theme is sex sells.

• What about the language used in the advertisement? Does it essentially provide information or generate some kind of an emotional response? Or both? What techniques are used by the copywriter: humor, alliteration, "definitions" of life, comparisons, sexual innuendo, and so on?

Well, it does only have two little quotes. So, the language or words are not what is selling this product. It causes men to have a very great emotional response. I'm thinking so. Hello? Blonde chick, wet t-shirt.

• What typefaces are used and what impressions do these typefaces convey?

The typing style is a really pretty unique style font that is really different than other ads, but is not really noticeable.

• What is the item being advertised and what role does it play in American culture and society?

The item being advertised is L.A.M.B. Perfume. Well, American's love sex appeal and they love fashion and accessories. Also, both women and men like certain smells and want to usually smell attractive towards the opposite sex.

• What about aesthetic decisions? If the advertisement is a photograph, what kind of a shot is it? What significance do long shots, medium shots, close-ups have? What about the lighting, use of color, angle of the shot?

The lighting is very light, but with very vibrant colors that attract the eye. the shot of Gwen and the perfume is long, but doesn't cover the whole page.

• What sociological, political, economic or cultural attitudes are indirectly reflected in the advertisement? An advertisement may be about a pair of blue jeans, but it might, indirectly, reflect such matters as sexism, alienation, stereotyped thinking, conformism, generational conflict, loneliness, elitism, and so on.

The ad is very sexist and shows women in a really sexual way, as usual. The ad is very colorful and nice, but the product is almost unnoticeable next to a wet Gwen Stefani.

Another writing blog! Wooh!

I really dislike shortening words in text messages. I dislike
when I do it, if I ever do that, or when people send me shortened
words. For some reason like rotflwtasartp just seems a little obnoxious.
Writing proper is better in my opinion. It's really hard for me to sit
and read a paper that is just one giant sentence. So I went to the doctor
today they said I am sick I don't feel sick though so I called him a liar
I punched him in the face and got kicked out I'm so awesome. Doesn't
that just seem really obnoxious? Run on sentences really bother me.
Even when we did the writing collage, I felt myself typing to periods
during the invisible writing, just in case I missed one. I guess it's just
a weird quirk. For some reason, spelling really bothers me too. If someone
puts to instead of too, or they're instead of their it really makes me want
to sit down and get a red pen and circle the word. Haha. I'm definitely not
saying I'm a perfect writer and don't make mistakes. I really try not to
fall into incorrect grammar or wrong sentence structure.

Theatre Critique.

Monica Hunt.
Theatre 110.
Critique.

Who let the murderer out? Who? Who? Who?

No. It wasn't Colonel Custard with a candlestick in the library. This isn't Clue we're talking about! The ICC Performing Arts center put on the play "A Party To Murder" right smack near Halloween. This production is about a group of six characters playing a murder mystery game, on an isolated island, until the game becomes real! "A Party to Murder" 's plot takes you on a scary adventure full of fear, betrayal, and a classic twist of a "who done it" story.

As the theatre is filled with people, the audience seems fascinated by the set. The set was absolutely fantastic and filled with realistic props. The students should take pride in their work in the scenery they created! The scenery really set up how stormy, spooky, and isolated the house was! Stuffed heads of hunted game hung on the walls and a nice trapdoor really added an unexpected pizazz! The fireplace seemed to even be really lit and when someone would open a door leaves would blow in! That doesn't seem amazing, but it's those little great details that really help an audience member really feel as if the production is real!

The set was divine, but so was some of the acting! For college theatre it was very impressive... for the most part! The six actors were Jacob Uhlman as Charles (The host.), Katie Richard as the ditzy McKenzie, Sam Curry as ex-football player Willy, Jeremiah Peterson as Elwood (Winner of the game), and two sisters Henri and Valerie performed by Bethany Shuford and Hannah Mont. The actor that stood out the most and brought much needed comic relief was Sam Curry's performance of Willy. Willy is an ex-football player who is in a wheelchair from a car accident. Curry brought out a dry, harsh sense of humor and almost always inappropriate, but hysterical! Curry's character really made this production worth watching. Everytime Curry said a line, it brought the audience into laughter. Curry has great comedic timing! Jacob Uhlman's portrayal of Charles was very believable as well! Uhlman really pulled off the character and was believable as Charles. Although, Uhlman kept slipping in and out of an English accent he really was great playing a sophisticated, almost annoyingly superior in intelligence character. The casting did a great job selecting Uhlman too. His body shape and length really was convincing for the role of an author. Uhlman really looked the part. The actress that stood out had to be Katie Richard's performance of McKenzie! Richard was brilliant and very convincing as a promiscuous ditzy model. Richard's character was hilarious and her one-liners were brilliantly performed. What was really great about Richard was that even when she wasn't talking her silent actions and facial expressions had the audience laughing! Example: When McKenzie chugged the liquor before the characters said cheers. Out of all the performers Curry, Uhlman, and Richard really made the show a pleasant experience!

As well as Curry, Uhlman, and Richard did, the other casted actor and actresses were not as impressive. Although, they did do well in some parts. Their acting almost seemed to forced and unbelievable. Take Bethany Shuford's portrayal of Henri for example. Shuford often seemed to frantic and obnoxious to be realistic. Shuford's constant screaming got almost unbearable towards the end of the first act. Every time lightning would go off her scream would cause headaches. Not only that she spoke much to quickly in some scenes and was hard to understand. And during the climax of the play her portrayal of a crazy, lunatic, murderer seemed so unrealistic and too soap opera for theatre. Instead of playing a convincing killer, it caused laughter in parts of the audience. Jeremiah Peterson as Elwood was alright, but his role is almost forgotten instead of memorable. Yes, it's hard to be memorable when Peterson is the first to die, but before that he had lines and his delivery just seemed really unrealistic and staged. When he first pulls the gun on the other five characters it just seems like Peterson's acting is corny. Although, he does play a good dead man! Just kidding. All in all, Peterson's role isn't really memorable. Last, but not least, Hannah Mont's portrayal of Valerie. Mont started off well, until her character had more dialogue. Mont was constantly doing weird hand gestures and played with her hair way too much to focus on what her character is saying. Not to forget the climax scene her acting is alright until she dies. Mont's death in the play was so terrible. She definitely took the overly dramatic approach. Which including, intense screaming, quivering, and excessive gasps and jumps for air. It was embarrassing to watch. Her portrayal wasn't too bad, just needed toning down. Although these actors were not up to par with the others they still made the experience enjoyable.

The storyline was really great. The only problem was it jumped to quickly from comedy to drama and no in between. It was really hard to stay focused that it was a murder mystery instead of a funny murder story. The plot felt like it was trying to be like "Clue". Another issue was the length. It almost felt too dragged on and was hard to follow after a while. The second act felt a little too long and could have had more excitement with dialogue and use of characters. The first act was really great though! The plot had the audience interested and kept them guessing who was the killer and who was innocent! The first act was full of appropriate comic timing and suspenseful questioning. All in all it was a pretty nice storyline and kept you guessing throughout the production.

This production had a lot of great special effects! Such as, the fireplace blowing to even before the play where the windows had shadows. The lighting and props really helped set the scene. Take for example, when the gun is shot it hits a bottle breaking it, the bottle actually breaks on cue and is really realistic! Another great prop was the gun. The gun worked really well that night and shot loudly and clearly each time! It was so realistic and not fake sounding at all! The music before the play and between acts really set the mood as well. The music was a haunting selection that made everyone stop in their seats and stay focused to the production.

For a small town theater production, it really was enjoyable! With such an elegant set, good casting, and amazing props this production was a must see and a great start for a Halloween feeling. ICC really did a great job and the next plays hopefully are just as enjoyable!

Kate minus Jon? Kate Plus 8.

Is anyone else SICK of Jon and KATE?!?!?!? Seriously, they are
both acting more childish than their eight children! First of all, they
are both being terrible influences and should settle their arguments
privately, too bad they are media whores and need to express their
feelings whenever a camera is recording them.

I used to think that they were an okay family, yeah, Kate was bitchy,
but they were together and thought about their children. The children
came first. It was really great how Jon took care of the kids all the time
and was such a great dad. Too bad those days are over! Nowadays it's
like who's Jon shacking up with at his house? It's ridiculous! Kate's no
angel either! Instead of traveling the world promoting her book, she should
be spending more time with her children, instead of the bodyguard.

Another thing is, they both shouldn't be talking about their private lives
to magazines. Do you really think 10 years from now, your children are
going to appreciate you badmouthing their mother/father? It's actually
grossing me out to see how immature these adults are acting. Jon needs
to keep it in his pants and Kate needs to stop being a bitch!

Private blog.

Monica Hunt.


"Mmm, mmm good" has nothing on Pizza Peel! Located in the small town of Lacon down by the Illinois River, this pizza joint keeps the little town from ripping their stomachs out with hunger. In the basement by "3 Times One" Imprints, this little slice of heaven is sure to get your chops dripping with saliva and your stomach always wanting more!

After sitting down for an interview with a worker, Deborah, she provided the origin of the small town business. Originally from Pekin, owner and starter of the Pizza Peel, Travis M. Guthman understood how limited good food was in smaller areas. Travis eventually moved to Colorado and started opening Black Jack pizzerias all across areas of Colorado. Owning a farm in Sparland inspired him to move back and start his own business in the smack dab middle of Lacon, Illinois. The building where the Pizza Peel is today, unlike the Pizza Peel, has been around since after the Civil War. Shortly after The Pizza Peel was opened, many people from all areas came to indulge in their many tasty items from the menu.

The Pizza Peel brings a big city pizza joint feeling to the small town of Lacon. The restaurant is right in the middle of the main drag of the busy mainstreet of Lacon. As you walk anywhere near the restaurant a gorgeous, haunting smell of Italian sauces, garclic, and cheese pull your nose hairs to go towards the smell and let your stomach have all control. As you follow the aroma you walk under the yellow, umbrella-like sign above the door and head into the basement where the words love and food go together.

For such an odd location, the restaurant seems to steal the limelight of all other Lacon restaurants. The basement pizza joint has beautiful light brown wood floors and the walls and ceiling are beautifully decorated and not with a cheesy checkered print that a lot of pizza places try to do. There is many places to sit, booths, tables, etc. to rest your starving self for the arrival of a feast fit for kings and queens! The aroma that teases your nostrils comes from the elegant kitchen that is full of numerous ovens and supplies to provide with senses with pleasure.

Just taking a look at the menu might cause you to drool. The pizza peel has very many dishes that could fill your heart with a warm, cheese-filled love. The classics are "Pepperoni Passion" which has double portions of pepperoni and cheese to make any meat lover salivate like a dog that sees a steak. A "Combo" with 5 toppings of pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, green peppers, and red onions could satisfy you. Or chose between to rivals the "All Natural" veggie pizza with mushrooms, green peppers, red onionss, black olives, and tomatoes or the "Carnivore's Delight" that includes pepperoni, ham, sausage, beef, and extra cheese! ,Costing $12.99 for a 12 inch or $14.99 for a 14 inch pizza.

Providing more of a variety, The Pizza Peel's menu also includes their "Signature Pies" which consist of "BBQ Feast", "Bacon Cheeseburger", and "Mediterranean Chicken" pies. "BBQ Feast" is full of grilled chicken, red onions, bacon, and cheese cooked with BBQ sauce. Quite a different, unique pizza. If you are craving a burger and you're in Lacon, good luck finding a great burger place. Instead, settle for a "Bacon Cheesburger" pizza pie from The Pizza Peel. The pie's ingredients consist of beef, bacon, cheddar, and extra cheese. Hitting the spot for your burger cravings. Last, but not least, the "Mediterranean Chicken" pie crust's spread with extra virgin olive oil, is topped with Mozzarella, red onions, chicken breast, black and green olives, tomatoes, garlic, and feta cheese! These pies fill the spot and don't dent your wallet too much!

The other pizza choices include the "Ultimates" which are the loaded pizza selections. This consists of "Kitchen Sink", "Kickin' Chicken", and the "Hawaiin" pizzas. The "Kitchen Sink" is loaded with pepperoni, ham, Italian sausage, mushrooms, green peppers, beef, red onions, extra cheese, and black and green olives to satisfy your animal-like hunger! "Kickin' Chicken" provides you Colonel Sanders lovers with some spicy green chili sauce pizza that contains red onions, black olives, tomatoes, chicken, cheddar cheese, and diced green chiles. Any of these choices can make any hunger cease for quite a while!

What's great about this small town joint is that they provide other options in case you are not in a pizza mood. With the famous Cheese bread that is only $4.49 for a whole box! To even the wings that come in orders of 10 or 20. While you are there you can order from their salad selections of "Fresh Garden Salad", "Mediterranean Chicken", or their "Kickin' Chicken" salad. The Pizza Peel also has great sandwiches like "Italian Beef" or the "Chicken Bacon Ranch" sandwich that could sent your stomach into a love coma. If you are still hungry after all of your feasting of the huge proportions, check out their two deserts, the infamous "Chocolate Chip Calzone" and the "Cinna Bread" can send you in an amazing sugar rush!

What would the city of Lacon be like without the Pizza Peel? Before this place Lacon was dull and a resident would have to drive at least 40 minutes to get some good quality food. If you are looking for some good loving in the food department, stop on by to Lacon's The Pizza Peel and your stomach will never regret it!

What a sick beat!

This really has nothing to do with formal writing or English
writing, but I love writing songs. I miss the days where I had
enough time to sit and play my guitar and write my feelings into
a song. I always feel that music is such a great way to communicate
and it's so easy just to let yourself out with chords and beats.
It's almost easier for me to write a song explaining how I feel instead
of just saying it. Words seem so boring until you get a guitar strumming
to them. Haha. I mean, I could write a song about how I want to eat
cereal, but I have no groceries. It still would be more interesting there
instead of writing it on paper. Music writing just seems so beautiful
even if it the words are lame. I mean for goodness sake, Lady Gaga
talks about a disco stick and people love that song for it! Music writing
is just so powerful!