New Page 3

Home

n. A quality that arouses emotions (especially pity or sorrow) 3

Very often pathetic appeal is derived from pictures and visual aids. Ads thrive off of tapping into a person's pathetic appeal and emotions.

Below are examples of pathetic appeal in everyday ads.

To the left is a picture from an Operation Smile ad. Notice the age of the young girl, the lighting, and the emotion pouring out through her eyes. All these elements aid to making the viewer feel pity for the child and ultimately donate money towards the cause.

Text Box: Below is one of the ever popular iPod ads.
Apple uses a person's attraction to color and movement to interest the consumer in their product, the ad implies that those with an iPod are always jovial and ready to go.