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Verbal and non-verbal persuasive devices on Czech and German billboards
SOCHOROVÁ, Marie
The aim of this thesis is to contrast the verbal and non-verbal persuasive techniques used in display hoardings in the Czech Republic and Germany. The mode and frequency of the features employed to attract consumers in both countries are compared. The specific goal of the thesis is to find out whether such advertisements can possibly mirror the values and norms of the society. The thesis is divided into three chapters. The first discusses the merits and demerits of the billboard as an advertising mechanism. In this section, the relevant laws of the Czech Republic and Germany are surveyed. In addition, the current situation in both countries with regard to this type of open-air promotion is examined. The second chapter summarises what is known about persuasion in general and the manipulative techniques employed to influence people. In this context, linguistic devices in Czech and German to achieve this end are evaluated. The final chapter provides an analysis of the material gathered for the thesis. The database consists of posters from 30 Czech and 30 German billboards which were photographed in the regions of South Bohemia and Lower Bavaria. The objective was to create a representative sample of contemporary outdoor advertisements in both countries. From the outset, close attention is paid to verbal features. These are divided into phonetic, word-forming, syntactic, and lexical devices. In terms of non-verbal features, typography, colour, and visual style are scrutinized. Since an advertisement is a complex means of communication, the interaction between the visual format and the text is also discussed.
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