Package Analysis Essay #3. This week, we focused on semiotics and semiotic analysis. We also discussed how semiotics play a role in effective product packaging. Now, it is time to synthesize the information you have gathered from the week’s activities, readings, and Discussion Board to perform a semiotic analysis of a product’s packaging. Class Learning Objectives
This activity is designed to support all of the Learning Objectives for this course, which are:
Demonstrate critical thinking skills in-class discussions and written essays.
1. Examine complex reading assignments through inquiry-based reading and learning.
2. Analyze the relationship between meaning in texts and language manipulation (including literal and figurative language, connotation, and denotation), the use of sophisticated literary forms and strategies (including irony, parody, and satire), and the similarities and differences between the author and his/her characters (including intentions, biases, assumptions, and arguments).
3. Examine unstated premises and hidden assumptions that arise from the social, historical, moral, cultural, psychological, or aesthetic contexts in which the primary texts and critical analysis of those texts exist.
4. Evaluate the pattern of reasoning present in a literary argument and related critical evaluation, including induction and deduction, in terms of fairness, accuracy, completeness, and effectiveness.
5. Examine logical fallacies– including appeals to authority, fear, and pity– in the arguments of literary works and criticism and particular literary fallacies, such as evaluating a work purely in terms of aesthetics, emotional effects, etc.
6. Distinguish between fact, inference, and judgment, recognizing that many reasonable inferences can be derived from the same facts.
7. Derive and justify inferences about work, the intention of the author, or the effect of the text based on its thesis or theme as reflected in rhetorical strategies, such as symbolism, imagery, use of irony, structure, point of view, characterization or other aspects of the text.
Demonstrate composition skills through both in-class (written with time constraints) and out-of-class essay assignments (at least 4 essays required for a total of 6,000 to 8,000 words/24 pages; at least three of the four must be formal, out-of-class essays).
1. Develop and state clearly a unifying thesis or proposition that examines a line of inquiry on an appropriately limited topic.
2. Select examples, details, and other evidence to support or validate the thesis and other generalizations and integrate them into an organized, coherent sequence that clearly and logically develops an argument.
3. Employ principles of inductive and deductive logic to support and develop ideas in written assignments that reflect causality and causal skepticism, analysis, inference, and synthesis of sources and concepts.
4. Compose essays using precise diction that communicates unambiguously, demonstrating the maturity of style and thought and a sense of audience.
Use appropriate research techniques to produce at least two analytic research papers.
1. Examine and evaluate appropriate college-level resources through research in support of a productive research question.
2. Integrate source material into papers using summary, paraphrase, and direct quotation, a system of note-taking and documentation and appropriately documenting sources (using MLA or another universally known system of documentation). Assignment Objectives
This assignment is designed to:
Require you to synthesize and integrate source material to perform a semiotic analysis
Use your critical thinking skills to analyze a product’s packaging to determine how and why the packaging is appealing to a consumer
Locate, examine, and evaluate sources
Sarah Mooney (Links to an external site.) states, “The packaging provides the first impression of the product to the consumer. It is one of the strongest factors that influence their purchase decision. Research findings indicate that one-third of consumer purchase choices are based on packaging. In a market that is defined by competition, and a consumer who is under significant time pressure, it is the packaging of a product that moves the consumer towards or away from it.”
For this essay, you are going to select a product and perform a semiotic analysis of the packaging. Your goal is to explain the appeal of the product’s packaging and why a consumer would buy the product based on the packaging. You want to focus on only the packaging and not on the product within the package. You can choose any package that you like but make sure to choose a package with multiple “signs” that can be analyzed. To get a better understanding of what this essay entails, you will want to review the videos I posted for you. To help you out, click here Download click here for a sample thesis statement and body paragraph for this essay. You will want to use this sample body paragraph as a guide and a template for each body paragraph within your essay. Additionally, you will want to refer back to the week’s Discussion Board as it will offer you some assistance with your analysis.
When doing this semiotic analysis, you will want to consider and analyze the following:
What message is being sent to the consumer? What “signs” are used to help convey the message to the audience?
What “signs” are used on the packaging to entice the consumer to purchase the product?
Is the packaging directed to a specific audience? Adult? Child? Teen? Why? How?
Does the packaging portray certain values? Political beliefs?
What are the denotations? What are the connotations?
What is so appealing about the package? What makes it stand out from the others?
How does the package contribute to one’s sense of identity?
Are there any images? Why do you think those specific images are used?
Is there any text? What does the text say? Is the text bolded, in cursive, etc.? Why do you think the text is this way?
How do the text and the images relate to one another?
Is the package colorful? What colors are used? Why those particular colors?
What is the layout of the image or images? Does the layout lead your eye to one specific area? Is there a particular section that pops out at you?
How does the history of the product affect its appeal?
What is the functionality of the package? Can it be reused or resealed? Does the functionality play a role in the package’s appeal?
**Note: You are not required to answer all of the questions above. The questions above encourage your critical thinking skills by questioning the package’s purpose, design, use of signs, appeal to the consumer, etc. Thinking about and responding to the questions above will assist you in performing a semiotic analysis of the packaging.**
Your essay will be graded on the following criteria:
your essay makes a clear argumentative claim (i.e. thesis statement)
your essay supports your claim with specific evidence and research
your essay has a strong introduction and conclusion
your essay has effective topic sentences
your essay is organized well and uses transitions throughout
your essay provides a thorough description of the product’s packaging, so the reader can clearly visualize the package
your essay reflects your critical thinking and research skills
your essay performs a thorough semiotic analysis of the package
your essay shows the reader how the package is appealing to the buyer and why one would buy this package because of the packaging
your essay avoids pitfalls in your critical thinking
your essay is approximately 3-4 pages
your essay follows the MLA formatting guidelines
Note: Your essay will be graded on how well you meet the aforementioned criteria. Please refer to the syllabus for what constitutes an “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, and “F” essay. Package Analysis Essay Rubric
Package Analysis Essay Rubric
Criteria Ratings
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Thesis Statement
Essay makes a clear argumentative claim (i.e. thesis statement) and offers a Plan of Development
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Introduction and Conclusion
Essay has a strong introduction and conclusion. Introduction includes a thorough description of the product’s packaging, so the reader can clearly visualize the package.
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Research, Support, and Evidence
Essay supports your claims with specific evidence. Research from appropriate sources are present to support and back-up all points and claims.
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Effective Body Paragraphs
Essay has effective topic sentences. Body paragraphs are organized well and uses transitions.
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Critical Thinking Skills
Essay reflects critical thinking and research skills. Essay demonstrates a thorough grasp of the materials and sources synthesized to show what made the product’s packaging so appealing and why it was so appealing to the consumer. Essay evaluates the quality of supporting data/evidence. Essay evaluates the key assumptions behind the claims and offers evidence to support claims. Pitfalls in critical thinking are avoided.
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Semiotic Analysis
Essay performs a thorough semiotic analysis of the package. Various signs are analyzed to determine their meaning and their purpose.
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome MLA Guidelines and Page Requirement
Correct MLA format is used. Works cited page is present and formatted correctly. Parenthetical citations are presented and formatted correctly. An essay is a minimum of 3-4 typed pages.