What angle would you put on an essay about advertising and women?

[MiniN]

Hi! I'm a student writing an essay on advertising and women. I've been trying to think of different angles on how to write it and what to include that haven't been overdone (such as the feminist theory).

If anyone has any ideas of what I could include, please let me know. All ideas will be greatly appreciated.

xxx

[Bluemukka]

What about women portrayed as men? IE the ladette culture?

[Tracee]

Why not do the opposite then and discuss ways in which advertising has (or has not) empowered women?

You could explore so many aspects of how this has been achieved, such as recent TV adverts that actually put men down (how the tables have turned) - don't forget to find examples.

Another way; how much more risqu� advertising has got. Show examples of decades-old and recent adverts for the same product/service to discuss how much more women can 'get away with' now.

Find out what the first product a woman ever advertised was, suggest why this was done at the time and analyse how it's escalated (into scantily-clad ladies advertising anything and everything, often having nothing to do with them at all!). Hopefully this won't have been done before so your tutor will have something original to read!

Whatever you do though, you'll have to talk about this overdone feminist theory. For every example of 'empowerment' you might give (e.g. ballsy, overtly sexy female advertising which you have demonstrated empowers the woman), a feminist would say this was in fact degrading them. Making them behave more 'manly' (ballsy, anyone?) or dress more provocatively is degrading in a feminist's eyes. What good does that do women really, isn't it just for the men?

Ooh controversial - no answer is right nor wrong!  I've almost written an essay myself lol :)) Hope you get some good ideas though, good luck with it!

[MiniN]

Tracee you are a genius!!!!!

Thank you for your ideas! they're BRILL!

[Tracee]

You're welcome! Stuff like this used to come to me so easily, I just know how to write essays somehow. At least this is something you can really get your teeth into! As I said, I hope your tutors find something original in there and give you top marks for it.

Let us know how you get on, ok? :)