Advertising Literacy
In my literature course, we read Nathaniel West's "Day of the Locust." I bought a used addition which was published in 1983. In the last page of the novel, there is an adverisement about literacy which was paid for by Martin Lithographers. It may just be a public service announcement, but either way, it is urging people to take action. The page reads "There's an epidemic with 27 million victims. And no visible symptoms." In smaller letters it says that the epidemic is that 27 million people are functionally illiterate. "The solution to the problem is you" it says and then leaves a number that you can call to volunteer. I think that this was a very wise decision on the Coalition for Literacy's part because it attracted a literate audience who takes their literacy for granted. In addition, this book is probably assigned to many high school and college students who have more free time and many of whom have the desire to volunteer. I like it. It reads like a no smoking advertisement that we see today.