Define...

For our third essay, we are exploring defintions. The prompt requires us to define on a concept whose definition is under debate in today's society.

I'm still kind of deciding what to define, but I think I'm leaning towards "torture." I know that there's usually alot of controversy about this in the media (there especially seemed to be during the Bush presidency), and I am personally appalled that this is something that even has to be debated.

I would really like to be able to write this paper and nail down a consensus of what experts in the field currently define as "torture." I know that there is probably a big gap between what different people (politicians vs humanitarians) would classify as such, and even between people's opinions and actual legal guidlines.

Like I said, I'm not one hundred percent sure about this topic yet. I tend to be a softie, and if it gets graphic (as it very well may), I'm not sure I'll be able to stick with it. BUT, if I do, I think it will definitly be an interesting topic.

Covergirl!

For our second essay, we are supposed to compare the same argument made with two different kinds of media. For mine, I am looking at the Covergirl LashblastFusion ad campaign, featuring Drew Barrymore. I will be comparing the picture ad (which can be found in various magazines) to the commercial (aired on TV).

From first glance, the commercial seems to be the most effective. I think that generally a commercial can show more than just a picture, which gives it a leg-up from the beginning. The commercial also provides more evidence of what the mascara does and why you should want it, as opposed to the ad which simply features a very large photo of Drew Barrymore, overshaddowing very small lettering about the mascara.

The only aspect of the print ad I preferred was the fact that you can't hear Barrymore lisping through a picture (although I don't think I will be including this in my essay).