They are everywhere: in magazines, in newspapers, on the radio, at the movie theater, and on television. It is important that we protect ourselves from marketing "tricks", which are intended to "hook" the viewers/readers/
listeners. Perhaps the product is cheaply made. Maybe it isn't as it appears. Is it worth the price? Is it something you need? Let's dive right in to a commercial and hone our reading skills along the way.
The commercial below is for a low-tech toy with lots of small parts - Lite Brite.
QUESTION Who was Bozo the Clown? How does one know where to put the pegs to form the desired picture? Would this product appeal similarly to both boys and girls? PREDICT Different characters would be marketed for this type of product today. INFER With many little pegs, the parts of this toy may be easily lost. There is any extra expense involved with the purchase of a light bulb (which is not included). Small children could choke on the little pieces or burn themselves on the light in this toy. | CONNECT Today, we make pictures using more advanced technology. How much has technology improved? FEEL This seems like nothing but a peg board with a light behind it - hardly innovative technology. Once built, there was no way to save the images. Once the pegs are removed, one had to redo the whole picture to see it again. EVALUATE The song at the beginning of this commercial may have gotten stuck in one's head, making someone think of the product later, when the commercial is not playing. This is an effective advertising technique. "Making images with light" may be a little misleading. The light shines through translucent pegs to make the image. The light by itself does not form the image. |