Influence of Action Figures

1. In the first article, the authors are trying to show how action figures are influencing males to get into these unrealistic shapes of the toys. They say that action figures have as much influence on guys as much as barbies have influence upon girls. Most guys want to be as buff as an action figure, but they explain that it is nearly impossible and people have gone so far as to take steroids.

In the second article, the author is opposing the fact that action figures appeal to most guys or young boys because they 'get rid of them when they grow up.' She is trying to explain that a toy is a toy and should and probably would be forgotten by children. Like many things in life, we forget things as years go on and loose interest in it such as these action figures. She also compares cartoons to action figures and how these comical violent shows don't affect people as they get older and it is the same with action figures.


2.

The first article has a formal tone because it has lots of ethos while it refers to several studies and even has pictures of figurines. It has ethos such as explaining 'how the Miss America pageant contestants have gotten skinnier over the years' (Gaern, Garfinkel, Schwartz, and Thompason, 1980) which is compared to how the action figures influence males in the same way. The figurines have also developed over the years into a more buff figure with more defined features which helps influence a male by showing how 'realisitic' it can look. It is a very professional paper as if the audience were much older and was studying this subject.

The second article has a casual tone. The author does use ethos in the paper but opposes it such as 'according to Pope's research... bulked-up toys or bulked-up boys.' It is shorter, but is straight to the point and is directly talking to the audience using 'So what?' She also refers herself by using 'us.' She is directing this to a very general audience that see toys as an influence. She wants to show them that it isn't a big influence.


3.
I think the assertions to the second article by Franke-Folstad was more of a better article to me because I could relate to it and the assertions were more related to my situation than the other. I am not a guy for one, but referring to Barbie's didn't really influence me either. I agree with Franke-Folstad and how these toys are not much of an influence because I had Barbies, but they were nothing more than toys. I never wanted to really look or have a body like Barbie. It never crossed my mind to begin with. I did want the clothes, but so much the body. My parents were never against action figures (for my brother) or Barbies (for me) because I think they take the side I am on and agree that these toys don't really influence children to have a body like this. This opinion could also just be that I am a girl and I don't worry about my muscles as much as a guy.