Final Answer:
I am convinced that advertising agencies could sell people last week's garbage. Being masters of propaganda, they make everything sound good. Using evasive language, advertisers make such vague but impressive statements as 'Professionals recommend our skin creams.' (The careful consumer will ask, 'Professionals in what field?') The agencies are also skilled at using richly appealing images. For example, newspaper ads never sell 'brightly colored towels.' Instead, they sell 'petal-soft bath sheets in a variety of subtle rainbow colors.' Perfumes in ads don't make you 'smell good'; they 'invite you to please that special man in your life with this unique yet unmistakable scent of tea roses.' Food ads stimulate your appetite by offering 'a sauce carefully blended to produce an unforgettable taste that you and your guests will savor.' Clothing ads convey the idea that if you wear a particular suit or dress, you will be classier than the next person. Other ads, such as those for computers, tell you how vividly devised their products will make you, suggesting that they will give you more skills than others have. Advertisements must have universal appeal to attract millions of people. Yet they must also persuade all those people to accept the delusion that they will be versatile if they buy a particular product. Yes, I'll bet an advertising agency could sell last week's garbage to naive or gullible people. The agency would simply create a narrative where else can you find a gift with so powerful an aroma - one that overflows with bittersweet memories of yesterday, yet hints that it will grow stronger with each passing day.
Step-by-step explanation:
Advertising agencies employ various techniques to influence consumer perceptions and promote products effectively. This passage highlights the manipulative nature of advertising, emphasizing the use of language and imagery to create compelling narratives. The careful examination of each option reveals the deliberate choices made by advertisers to shape consumer attitudes.
In the context of colorful towels, the selected option "subtle" adds a layer of sophistication, showcasing how advertisers strategically use language to enhance the appeal of ordinary products. The term "subtle rainbow colors" creates an alluring image that goes beyond a simple description.
Similarly, the choice of "unique" in the perfume advertisement adds an element of exclusivity and specialness, playing on the desire for individuality. The phrase "unmistakable scent of tea roses" implies a distinct and exceptional fragrance, appealing to consumers' aspirations.
In the food ad, the term "stimulate" is selected, conveying the idea that the advertised product not only satisfies but enhances the appetite. The phrase "sauce carefully blended to produce an unforgettable taste that you and your guests will savor" employs sensory language to create a heightened culinary experience.
The clothing ad uses "convey" to underscore the power of clothing in expressing social status. By suggesting that wearing a particular suit or dress will make the individual classier than others, advertisers manipulate perceptions of personal image and societal standing.
Choosing "vividly devised" in the context of computer advertisements emphasizes the idea that these products are intricately crafted to enhance the user's skills. The term "vividly" implies a clear and dynamic impact, reinforcing the notion that owning the advertised computer will set the consumer apart.
The term "universal" is aptly chosen for the appeal of advertisements to millions of people. This word captures the broad reach and acceptance that successful advertisements strive for in attracting diverse audiences.
In contrast, the term "delusion" is selected to describe the overarching narrative that consumers need to accept. Advertisers create a sense of illusion or false belief, convincing consumers that buying a particular product will make them versatile—a persuasive but deceptive notion.
The final sentence reinforces the persuasive power of advertising by suggesting that an agency could sell last week's garbage through the skillful crafting of a narrative. The term "create a narrative" encapsulates the essence of advertising—shaping perceptions and creating compelling stories that resonate with consumers' emotions and desires.