1. My argument is that Vogue is a compilation of all the most extravagent and seductive advertizements. It is one big extravaganza to peruse. We have been reading about and discussing the influences of the media and the ads and how they can play the role of the “expert,” who tells what, to do what to buy, etc. Some people are completely vunrable to Vogue’s seduction-live the material life full of expensive, designer clothes and accessories and that life is not complete without that lifestyle. I am going to argue that Vogue can be interpreted two ways-as a fun illusion or as a cause of frustration for ordinary people. I will also be tracing how Vogue’s ads change and how they evolve throughout the years. We have discussed how ads have been gradually changing throughout the years and how they have especially become more erotic. There used to be arguments for the product in the ads, listing the benefits and even telling a story. The earlier ads relied on the reader’s sense of logic. The ads really started to change apparently in the 70’s as the ads started to use sexual images to seduce their consumers. Less words were used gradually in order to convey the message of the product. Ads relied on a slogan and a sexually charged photo. I will examine how this change took place and why.

2. I expect to discover that as the society became more and more focused on sex in the media, the ads changed to accomodate that…or was it the other way around? As society changes, Vogue must have evolved in order to accomadate those changes. The fashions also will become more intricate and strange as a clothing becomes more of an art form than a functial thing. Also, as they do more and more spreads, they are forced to come up with different ideas every time. Therefore, fashion got more and more out-there. Vogue prides itself on being up to the minute with the very hottest fashions and designers featured like Prada, Fendi, Gucci. I think that I will discover a trend in fashion going from functional and trendy to expensive and plain bizarre. ” People want more than just clothing they want fashion.”

3. One book called “As Seen in Vogue” traces Vogue from its very beginning and documents how it has become a part of American history, how it has both documented American society and how Vogue has influenced society. It is an extremely helpful book because it gives me all this information that I need about American Vogue and how fashions, society and history has all changed together. “The Erotic History of Advertizing” explores how Americans have utilized the human facination for sex in order to market theri various brands. It even answers the question of “Why does sex sell?” It gives examples of very early sexually charged ads for tobacco and such.

4. I obviously just need to obtain a couple more sources and start figuring out how my outline will look. I am not sure how many sources are required but I have 5 right now. There is plenty of information about the past and present Vogue so I am not worried about lacking information. i almost wish that we could have a little schedule so that I could track my process. I am interested to see if my conception of Vogue will change for better or for worse.

1. The class would be more of a seminar with the teacher as one of the community of learners. A group of students discussing and analyzing a problem in math, a point in history, or a story in the english class. They should be rich discussions where students pull apart the evidence, questioning the facts, and coming to their own individual conclusions accourding to the arguments. They should challenge each other’s opinions and think about the real circumstances that would relate to the topics and they do not even have to come to a black and white answer for the problem. The exercise should be in really thinking about the problem. Teachers would benefit from the problem-posing classes because they would have a fresher approach to the problem as a result of the students really thinking. During my Humane Letters class, we all discuss the characters and the plots. We deciede what we personally think about the characters and we argue our positions with other people who have opposite views. When I was concious then I didn’t have a certain kind of message forced on me. I get to make up my own mind. 2. Praxis means liberation and in the essay it is refered to as “an action and reflection of men and women upon their world in order to ransform it.” Alienation is a way to isolate somebody and according to Freire people should not be alinated. 3. I think that Freire is faithful to his own beliefs. He allows us to have our own opinion while giving us something to think about.

I think that I changed my mind about the product that I will research.  I hope that this is not too broad but I want to do my project on the magazine Vogue.  I know that it has been around for a while and I am interested to see  how it has developed because it is considered a “bible” for women everywhere.  Women cosult it avidly for the last fashions, colors, and beauty products.  Even if a women cannot afford all the clothes and products she can at least get a glimpse into the lux lifestyle that Vogue is selling.  For me, looking through Vogue is similar to playing pretend.  I can look at all the exquisite fashion shoots and imagine that I am part of that glamourous world.  I think that it one of the first magazines for women’s fashions and all the other magazines like Vanity Fair, Cosmo, Elle, and Jane have come from the inspiration of Vogue.   I do recognize that Vogue sells a lifestyle that is selfish, materalistic, and ultimately unattainable.  The issues are filled with flawless models that can make women believe that they need to change their appearance.  However, what if you just treat Vogue for what it is-an illusion and then just enjoy the beautiful illusion?  Lots of people complain that Vogue is not realistic but that is precisely what makes it so enjoyable.   I get my fill of the ugly, the humdrum, and the prosaic.  When I read Vogue I want something out of the ordinary.  Something magical, beautiful, and glamourous.                                                                                            I am expecting to contrast and compare the earlier issues of Vogue with the present issues of Vogue and see how the products in the ads have changed overall.  I hope that I can access images of earlier copies on the internet or perhaps in the library.