This document provides instructions for an assignment analyzing how sexuality is used in magazine advertisements. Students are asked to cut out two ads, answer questions about each ad, and staple the ads to the sheet. The questions probe how each ad uses sexuality to sell a product, the intended target audience, advertising techniques employed, and whether safer sex is implied. The goal is to understand how ads directly or indirectly involve sexuality and whether they would be effective in getting viewers to purchase the product.

1. Are You Buying What They’re Selling?
Sex and the Media
Name____________________________
Directions: For this assignment, cut out two advertisements from magazines that directly
or indirectly involve sexuality. Look at ads for clothes, cosmetics, jewelry, fragrances,
tobacco, alcohol, and others. Staple your ads to this page and answer the following
questions.
Ad #1
1. In what magazine did you find this ad?__________________________________
2. What is the actual product that is being advertised?________________________
3. Describe the people/background in the ad.________________________________
4. Is any factual information given about the product? If so, what?_______________
5. Who do you think this ad is trying to appeal to(“Target Audience”)?
6. What image or message is the advertiser trying to get across?_________________
7. How is SEXUALITY used to sell this product?____________________________
8. What advertising techniques/hooks are used?(rebellion, humor, sense appeal,
slogans, fun, excitement, famous person, etc.)
9. Does this ad mention or imply anything about “safer sex?”___________________
10. Do you think this ad is effective in getting the viewer to “buy” what they are
selling? Why or why not?
(over)

2. Ad #2
1. In what magazine did you find this ad?__________________________________
2. What is the actual product that is being advertised?________________________
3. Describe the people/background in the ad.________________________________
4. Is any factual information given about the product? If so, what?_______________
5. Who do you think this ad is trying to appeal to(“Target Audience”)?
6. What image or message is the advertiser trying to get across?_________________
7. How is SEXUALITY used to sell this product?____________________________
8. What advertising techniques/hooks are used?(rebellion, humor, sense appeal,
slogans, fun, success, status, cool people, excitement, famous person, etc.)
9. Does this ad mention or imply anything about “safer sex?”___________________
10. Do you think this ad is effective in getting the viewer to “buy” what they are
selling? Why or why not?
Dom Splendorio
President at Prime Time Health Consulting
Greater New York City Area