Evaluating Evidence

Do ads that use sex to sell their products degrade women?
“No” position

By Ted Sherman

www.helium.com/items/413500-do-ads-that-use-sex-to-sell-their-products-degrade-women

At first glance, this article does come across as being fairly convincing. It appeals to both the pathos and logos parts of persuasion. It uses strong language in attempt to convince its audience that whoever believes women are degraded by sexual advertisements is dumb and needs to “Get a life.” This tone, although presents his opinion very clearly, causes him to seem somewhat less credible and more like his simply ranting and raving. The author does not proceed to adequately back up his opinion with real sources but rather simply goes on with how he thinks others feel, or should feel, and basically just continues on with his own personal belief. The author does eventually add in some logic by bringing up a few interesting examples of women who are being degraded in foreign countries in extreme measures. This does add some credibility to his argument, but he still seems very over the top with his opinion and emotion so it is difficult to truly persuade the reader of anything.


Do ads that use sex to sell their products degrade women?
“Yes” position

By Victor Strange

www.helium.com/items/978294-do-ads-that-use-sex-to-sell-their-products-degrade-women

This article, on the other hand, presents itself as being much more credible. It starts off a little shaky in the beginning, however. The author clearly has a lot of sincere feelings on how our society is degraded and he presents these feelings a little strongly, which may cause some readers to be slightly taken aback, but it definitely appeals to the pathos portion of persuasion, however. Soon into his article he brings up a fair amount of statistics and interesting facts which do a good job of bringing down the emotional intensity and adding some logic into his argument. The author then continues with his opinion, but also throws in some humor which recaptures the reader’s attention and helps them identify with his ideas. In this way he again appeals to his audience’s emotions in order to help shape their opinion. This article also did a very nice job at expanding on what the reader expected to find. Instead of limiting his ideas to the degradation of women, he also explained how in his opinion all of society is lessened because of the amount of sexuality in the media today, and in turn, appealing to people’s ethos. He brings the ideas of pedophiles, government officials involved in sex scandals, and even abused children into his argument. This opens the reader’s mind to a new direction which they may not have associated with this matter previously.