Michelle 
First Draft #1
 
              When you go to buy a car you can pick from many different types of cars.  
Some are more popular then others but that are up to the consumer.  Chevy is a well 
known pick up truck used by everyone is Texas.  Does Chevy use the Propaganda 
technique? Yes Chevy does use the propaganda technique? The three different ways are 
testimonial, bandwagon, and glittering genialities.
 

OK Intro.
Notice the Essay Question.

Rephrase: Does Chevy use propaganda techniques in its ads?

Thesis is a question right now--needs fix.

     First, I believe that Chevy uses propaganda techniques in there tuck ads by 
clearly using the technique of testimonial.  According to Ann McClintock, the testimonial 
technique uses famous or important people; “Similar to the transfer deceive, the 
testimonial capitalizes on the admiration people have for a celebrity to make the product 
shine more brightly-even though the celebrity in not an expert on the product being 
sold.” (McClintock p.665) Celebrities are the key for testimonial techniques. Chevy has 
celebrities drive there car to get people to buy a cretin brand, because of a famous 
singer is driving one as well. One of the country singer that Chevy has used is George 
Strait.  People start to believe that because a celebrity likes this product a lot so will 
they! Chevy also uses country theme songs that they think will help sell there product 
faster.  Since they use country singers they use a country based song as well for there 
commercials.  But the ad’s talk about Chevy, pick up trucks, and the product they would 
like to sell to the consumers.

Great Topic/ Transition/ Linking sentence

Good set up of quote except the set up sentence should end in a colon (or comma)
...people: "Similar to...
...sold (McClintock 665).

Incorrect parenthetical citation.

Good "instance" as secondary support

Country singers?
Better instances with specific people (singers)?

Notice this paragraph only has one quote from the source when it needs two to help define this technique.

     Second, another propaganda technique Chevy uses is very similar to 
testimonial which is called, bandwagon.  Ann McClintock expresses that “the advertisers 
know we tend to feel comfortable doing what others do; we want to be on the winning 
team.” (McClintock p.667)  I believe that Chevy uses this technique the most out of any.  
For and example of how the two are similar is.  Since George Straight drives a Chevy 
then so will I.  This is showing how they can combine the two propaganda techniques 
together.  Because the main goal is to sell the product to catch the eye of the beholder. 
Chevy will add cattle guards, headache racks, and big tires, as a feature that some 
competitors like to add as a specialty to sell there product faster.  These little features 
that other trucks might or might not have doesn’t make there trucks look as good as a 
Chevy product. A Texas man or cowboy want the features that is popular in today’s 
society. People feel as thought if they don’t do what everyone else is doing they don’t 
feel as though they will fit in or be accepted. Many people want the biggest and best 
truck in which it will stand out.  This is why Chevy has its well known logon “like a rock”.  
There logon shows how there trucks are and will be the best out of any other products.  

Another good transition sentence.

Good use of quote!
Poor parenthetical citation formatting--

...team" (McClintock 667).

 

 

 

 

 

I think some better bandwagon support is needed--better instances.

Again, only one quote.

    Third, the last technique of propaganda that Chevy uses is glittering 
generalities.  Ann McClintock explains how these techniques may be used in an ad for 
Chevy advertisements.  “Advertisers surround their products with attractive-and slippery 
words and phrases.” (McClintock p.664)  This is very true when it comes to the ads with 
Chevy.  The use “like a rock”, it might not sound that attractive.  But it symbolizes how 
tough this product is.  No matter what I rock is hard and can and will hurt you.  For an 
example, Chevy shows how tough its truck is by pilling up a ton of garbage, rocks, wood, 
and junk onto the pick up.  But the truck starts up and comes out of the stuff without a 
single scratch on it or even a dent.  So the logon shows how it is as tough as a rock.  
Prices on a vehicle are a big factor when it comes to selling a product as well.  When 
there ad’s sound attractive as in how the price a truck can make you change your mind 
about being there product. Price is a big factor when buying anything.  They are always 
trying to put deals on there trucks in order for them to sell more.  For an example, when 
they were giving everyone the employee discount. Chevy though is doing very good on 
selling there pick up trucks to every age, personality, and nationality. 

Good transition.

NEVER drop a quote into the text like this. Always set it up.

In this case, replace the period after "advertisements":

...Chevy advertisements: "Advertisers surround...

 

Perhaps some other instances of glittering generalities. What is here doesn't seem to fit well.

     All in all, even thought there are many different aspects when it comes to 
selling a Chevy truck.  In the end many people follow in other footsteps of others. Either 
it is a celebrity, role model, or friend.  But one thing is for sure Chevy does a good job of 
selling there products using bandwagon, glittering generalities , and testimonial 
propagandas.  

Has the author really dealt with the issue of whether these ads are propaganda or just communication meant to promote understanding? Not all ads are meant to deceive. Are these? Do they promote misunderstandings in order to sell the product?