1) Both of these advertisements are for Kotex napkins. However, they each have a different approach in selling the product. The first ad attracts attention by offering a question. Also, there is a lot of writing and a major focus placed on reading the advertisement. The second advertisement attracts the viewers attention by using the beautiful celebrity Sybil Shepard. Furthermore, there are less words and more of an emphasis placed on sexuality and being beautiful. Knowing the time period each ad was from helps us to analyze the ways in which advertisements reflect a world view. For example, the first advertisement was created in the 1940’s. Knowing the historical context, and critically examining the advertisement, there can be some conclusions drawn. The ad from the 1940’s is more conservative and is vague about the purpose of the product they are selling. Also, because there were less ads around during this time period, people had more time to sit down and actually read the ad, therefore there are more words in this ad than the second. The second ad came out in the 1970’s. Therefore, more advertisements were around and the goal of the ad was to have the product stick in the mind of the consumer and get the point across quick. This is why there are less words in the 1970 ad versus the 1940’s Kotex ad. Also, the second ad from the 70’s there was a greater emphasis placed on sexiness, confidence and being beautiful. While in the 1940’s there was focus on women and proper etiquette.

2) These ads are both for alcohol. The first advertisement is from the 1940’s and it is selling Budweiser. The second ad is from the 1990’s and is selling Captain Morgan rum. The first ad is using patriotism to sell the beer. The Second World War was occurring at this time and therefore people were focused on the fighting, so the advertisement was attracting attention by relating to what was occurring in the world. There was also a lot of words in the advertisement, also common for ads of the time. The advertisement is selling a value system of being a united America. This technique in advertisements has dramatically changed over time. The second ad is lighthearted and fun. It is showing the consumer that when they drink Captain Morgan’s they will have a fun time. It is also depicting a fun and playful relationship that can arise when one buys and drinks this type of alcohol. This suggests that by closely reading and deconstructing both advertisements, as a consumer we are getting an idea of the lifestyle and value system behind the ads.