Magna Soles: a Satire
Paul Stevenson
Mrs. Pierson AP English III MagnaSoles™: A Satire
12/9/11
In this article from The Onion, the intent was to ridicule the American system of commercial capitalism. The author makes illogical appeals to logos as well as mockingly uses different forms of propaganda in order to satirize this obnoxious tradition. Several imitation appeals to logos are made throughout the article. The reader is bombarded by fabricated information that is riddled with made-up words. Also, some words that are used are real but mock the context they are placed in. One of the more frequently used terms, literally meaning “fake science”, is “pseudoscience”. This is a working contribution to the humor of the article because of its subtlety. The information is seemingly valid, but, for those who have a basic understanding of Greek roots, the validity is thus shattered. In addition, the operation and benefits are greatly exaggerated. The claim that the MagnaSoles™ can align one’s “biomagnetic field” with Earth’s magnetic field in order to restore one’s “natural bioflow” is a sham at best. Not only do they purportedly do all of this, they also only cost $19.95. These notions are so completely nonsensical that they beg to be ridiculed, thereby contributing to the over exaggeration of the pros associated with the product. Other uses of such information right through the article also aid in achieving the goal of satirizing this holy sacrament of shameless American commerce. The sarcastic use of propaganda plays a key role in satirizing the advertising industry. The end of this article is peppered with testimonial evidence that expresses the success and satisfaction that people have had with the product. However, like the claims made before, these testimonials are amusingly implausible. One women claims that she twisted her ankle and that MagnaSoles™ got her back on her feet in about seven weeks, which she implied was a
Mrs. Pierson AP English III MagnaSoles™: A Satire
12/9/11
In this article from The Onion, the intent was to ridicule the American system of commercial capitalism. The author makes illogical appeals to logos as well as mockingly uses different forms of propaganda in order to satirize this obnoxious tradition. Several imitation appeals to logos are made throughout the article. The reader is bombarded by fabricated information that is riddled with made-up words. Also, some words that are used are real but mock the context they are placed in. One of the more frequently used terms, literally meaning “fake science”, is “pseudoscience”. This is a working contribution to the humor of the article because of its subtlety. The information is seemingly valid, but, for those who have a basic understanding of Greek roots, the validity is thus shattered. In addition, the operation and benefits are greatly exaggerated. The claim that the MagnaSoles™ can align one’s “biomagnetic field” with Earth’s magnetic field in order to restore one’s “natural bioflow” is a sham at best. Not only do they purportedly do all of this, they also only cost $19.95. These notions are so completely nonsensical that they beg to be ridiculed, thereby contributing to the over exaggeration of the pros associated with the product. Other uses of such information right through the article also aid in achieving the goal of satirizing this holy sacrament of shameless American commerce. The sarcastic use of propaganda plays a key role in satirizing the advertising industry. The end of this article is peppered with testimonial evidence that expresses the success and satisfaction that people have had with the product. However, like the claims made before, these testimonials are amusingly implausible. One women claims that she twisted her ankle and that MagnaSoles™ got her back on her feet in about seven weeks, which she implied was a