Alli
Jessica Roberts

Alli Advertisement 

“Do I really need Alli? Why not just diet and exercise?” 

Jessica Roberts 

When I first observed this article, the images are what caught my attention initially. These images seem to portray the pathetic or emotional appeal (pathos). The curvy woman standing on the scale looking at her weight allows many women readers to personally relate to that specific moment. The issue of self-esteem in relation to weight –loss is a strong emotional appeal to most women. The images of food on the ad also appeal to the reader’s senses. The first plate of brightly colored spinach, mandarin oranges, and rice looks almost like a piece of art. In contrast to the healthy dish, a small, crumpled bag of potato chips is also featured in the ad. This would encourage the reader to choose healthy foods over the fried alternatives. This healthy eating pattern would, in turn, aid in achieving Alli’s weight- loss results.

The logical argument (logos) is used in the text of the advertisement. The questions “do I really need alli? why not just diet and exercise?” begins to create dialogue between the ad and the reader. This technique tends to use what the audience itself is thinking. “Instead of ten pounds lose fifteen”—of course any person dieting would want to lose more weight. Why not take something that would help them along the way? It seems to be pretty logical.

The argument by character (ethos) is displayed by the image of the woman on the scale. She is not a thin, bikini-clad model, but she is an everyday woman. This gives the ad an ability to look trustworthy in the reader’s eyes. Many of the women in the audience can identify one’s self in an article that portrays realistic goals.

           Overall, this ad is effective because of the focus on a specific audience. By knowing the target market, the advertisements can be tailored with great detail to reveal all three of the powerful tools of persuasion.