How to Write Better Essays

• digital tech. – TVs, cameras


• music systems


• video recorders

But rarely just information:

suggestion=we can’t afford not to keep up with progress

(b) New designs:

e.g. fashions/clothes

household equipment – washing machines,

dishwashers, microwaves

Suggestion=we can’t afford to allow o/selves to fall behind

our friends & neighbours – comparisons/envy/

conspicuous consumption – you are what you

own

C But not the ‘only’ thing they do:

• overt manipulation

1. Selective use of information:
   
   
   • says what’s good about the product, but omits the bad
   
   
   
   

e.g. car accelerates 0–60 in 6 secs – but omits to tell you

that it has a record of rusting in 5 years

e.g. the latest printer that can do more than any other

printer on the market – but omits to tell you that

the print cartridge costs 5 times as much as any

other printer

2. Uses information out of context:
   
   
   • uses only those comments that appear to be in favour of
     the product in a report that is critical of it
   
   
   
   

e.g. a critical report by a consumer association

e.g. unfavourable comments of an art, literary or

theatre critic ignored by promoters who comb

through the article for isolated expressions of

approval

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