Haiti

The advertisement presented immediately grabs the attention of the audience with its text. Looking at it, the main focal point is the text: “Earthquake in Haiti” and “Donate.” Secondary to the bolded parts the remaining text says, “UNICEF is delivering lifesaving supplies to affected children. You can help.” Next after reading what the ad is about the background is left to examined. The picture is of a single mom with her precious baby looking at her and the mom focused on the viewer. It is constructed to feel as if the mother is personally asking aid to her child and others like them. The viewer is manipulated to think that if they donate UNICEF then they can continue to deliver lifesaving supplies to the children of Haiti. This advertisement uses pathos, logos, and ethos as its persuasion tools to get people in general and those that can help others to donate to Haiti.

This advertisement is specifically targeting an audience of people who are sympathetic to those in need, especially children. The ad hopes to draw people in who feel for this woman and her heartache. It also wants to target the type of person who is willing to donate to charities, even if he or she has no previous history of doing so. The audience is immediately drawn to the words, “Earthquake in Haiti.” The intent is clear; the ad wants people to sympathize with those in Haiti. Another thing the audience’s eye is drawn to is the word “Donating.” Donating is seen as something positive one can do no matter how far someone lives. Donating is a positive thing, but because of targeted ads like this one, it seems almost mandated in the utilitarianism type of world we live in today.

Ethos is a major part of this ad and especially plays on the feelings of those who sympathize with the struggling, single mother, and her child. By playing on human compassion the ad makes people feel inclined to help those in Haiti. Not only because they can, but because it is also the right thing to do. The photograph...