In-Class Lab: Textual Analysis Paper

Bela Burns, Holly Snider, Leah Nieman

1. Who Published These Ads?

The first ad on the page was published by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), followed by Freedom Of Animals, and Mercy for Animals.

2. Who are these texts intended for? (Or) Who would each one seem to appeal to?

These ads are intended for people who are for animal rights. Each ad was either about treating animals ethically, or using non-animal products. For instance, the PETA ad shows a man cuddling with his dog with wording across saying, "If you wouldn't wear you dog...please don't wear any fur."

3.How can we tell that?

We can tell that these ads were for the public who are interested in animal rights because it appealed to their emotions. The ad from Mercy for Animals really appeals to readers emotions by showing a forlorn pig in a cage with the advertisement saying, "Do you support cruelty to animals? Walmart Does." This deliberately casts shame on the company of Walmart and hooks the reader by making them feel sorry for the animals "Walmart" supposedly is cruel to.  


4. What is the purpose of these texts? What are their creators wanting to change or make happen?

The organizations that created these ads wanted to make people aware that animals are suffering and we are supporting it. The three ads we analyzed all told us that we were causing animals to die either for beauty products, clothing and accessories, or food. We believe that the change the organizations wanted was to have the public's opinions change about buying certain products that supported animal harm.  

5.How do they seem to be working toward that purpose(s)? What beliefs and values do they address? Think: What are their ethical, emotional, and rational appeals?

These organizations seem to be working toward changing the public's opinion on animal harm by producing ads, informing people of what is actually happening to animals, and trying to make this information widespread. The beliefs and values they address are very clear, they value and believe in animal rights. The PETA ad we analyzed made a personal approach by telling us to consider our own dog as an animal that was being used as a product.

6.What evidence from the texts (images, phrases, etc.) can you provide to support your answers?

The evidence is very clear in the organizations ads about animal freedoms. In the ad from Freedom For Animals it is especially clear. They show a beauty product for hair and then state this statement, "This is how 300,000 lab animals suffer each year." Almost every ad organizations like these produce is about showing us statistics and proof through images that animals are suffering.

7. Can you come up with a statement that would indicate what the ads do as a group?

The ads as a group could be summarized to this statement: They want to inform the public about animal harm.