MECM20015 week 8
This assignment requires you to write an arguable opinion on an issue related to advertising and society, drawing on the central themes covered in Weeks 4 – 7. You will take a stance on your chosen topic and persuade your readers that your argument is valid and worth considering. Your essay should be well- supported with evidence and should address and refute opposite viewpoints to demonstrate a thorough and critical understanding of both sides of the argument.
In addition to standard academic expectations, this assignment places emphasis on your ability to apply subject materials, analyse real-world examples and demonstrate independent thinking. Reliance on generic or Al-generated responses will not meet the requirements.
Instructions
Step 1. Select a Topic for Your Essay
Choose a topic that interests you from the lessons in Weeks 4-7. Possible topics/ include, but are not limited to:
• Economic impacts of advertising (Week 4): Does advertising make things cheaper or more expensive? Does advertising make us buy things we (don’t) need? Does advertising make us more/less materialistic? How does advertising affect consumer wellbeing?
• Representation in advertising (Weeks 5-6): Are all stereotypes in advertising problematic? Should certain forms of stereotypes in advertising be
encouraged/discouraged? Should all advertisers prioritise diversity, equity, and inclusion in their campaigns? Is addressing diversity and inclusion in advertising beneficial or detrimental?
• Advertising to young people (Week 7): Is advertising beneficial for young people, or is it inherently unfair? Should all (or certain) forms of advertising to children be tightly regulated or banned? Or, should we encourage children to engage more with ads?
When selecting a specific topic, consider narrowing your focus (e.g., gender representation in Instagram influencer ads targeting teen girls) in order to make your task more manageable.
Step 2. Analyse an Issue and Develop an Argument
Conduct research on your chosen topic. Gather sufficient evidence to support your stance. Supporting evidence includes factual knowledge, statistics/data, and expert opinions from reputable sources such as books, academic journals, newspapers, trade magazines, government reports, and other credible publications. Here, you will also need to examine supporting evidence for the opposing view to ensure you are well informed about both sides of the argument.
Solution
The rapid expansion of the internet and social media has increasingly positioned adolescents as prime targets for advertising and marketing. As a result, underage influencers have gained visibility, intensifying the volume and impact of youth-directed advertising. In 2024, the BBC highlighted the “Sephora Kids” case, illustrating how cosmetic brands deliberately appeal to children and adolescents (Taylor, 2024)…
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