Thursday 29 March 2012

Guns in South Africa

This advertisement’s purpose is to show that South Africa is not safe because guns can be brought very easily. In this advertisement, there aren’t any famous people or logos to attract people, but it still appeals to authority and emotions very effectively because the guns capture the audience’s attention. Possession of guns is not allowed for the average citizen, and guns are very difficult to acquire. However, in the picture, the guns are sold in vending machines, which, in Canada, sell snacks, water, juice, and pop. Therefore, audiences would be very surprised that guns can be purchased so easily. This advertisement gives people an image of what the society in South Africa is like. The picture is very simple and easy to understand because the artistic director uses a common object (vending machine) to sell dangerous items (guns).

3 comments:

  1. The text invlokes shock by showing guns in the machine. To identify a country is safe or not, it really depends on do the government has enough safety policy that can prevent people to commit a crime. Therefore, i think that it is also one of the important issues that the government has to deal with as soon as possible.

    Cola

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  2. Yes, the guns in this photograph hold a lot of attentions and thoughts from audiences. The guns are sold by auto machines- are they crazy? The photographer wants the audiences will think and talk about it so he or she focuses on the guns. Everyone knows guns are dangerous stuffs and should have caution to deal with that. In this situation, the guns are just carelessly sold. It generates scary emotions to the audiences. Audiences definitely will pay attention on it as you mentioned. It is directly deliver the message to the audiences.

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  3. I don't think there is appeal to authority. I feel it is more likely to be appeal to logos. The advertisement warn the audience that South Africa is dangerous because people can easily get a gun. It may also raise people's awareness of the social problem in South Africa.

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