Public Document Analysis

English 1010 Public Document Analysis Frosh Camp 2012 advertisement This document, titled Frosh Camp @ Camp NaCoMe, has multiple different features and lots of information. The title itself is formatted in a certain way for a reason. The words “Frosh Camp” are very bold and in Memphis blue; whereas the words “@ Camp NaCoMe” are in grey and much less bold. The author of this document made it this way because Frosh Camp is the main subject and is meant to be more noticed than the location of the camp. Because the background of the main part of the advertisement is white, the blue stands out even more.
Besides the title, the first thing you notice is the two large pictures in the foreground at the top of the page. These pictures show Frosh Camp campers in 1994 and 2012. They are inside a green circle to represent a fun atmosphere verses placing the pictures in the standard square. In the background there are a few, big light blue polka dots the author placed just to add a little more fun and color to the page. The 2012 picture shows people of all different types and ethnicities. With an audience of University of Memphis 2012 freshman, this is a very good thing to show because people won’t worry about fitting in.
Next, your eyes guide to the text underneath. With the words “You”, “hundred years”, and “never forget” being bolded in the sentence, that alone makes you curious about the camp. After viewing the top of the document, one may notice the vertical, royal blue, rectangular box on the right side of the page. The foreground of this box contains all information about when the three sessions are and a few pictures and quotes of and from previous campers. The background has a few large light blue and green polka dots also to add a more gratifying feel to the advertisement.

The pictures, also placed in green bordered circles, show previous campers enjoying camp and having fun. The first picture, top left, is of a girl participating in the cardboard box boat race. The author chose this picture because this is one of the activities Frosh Camp is famous for. Each cabin puts together a boat with only cardboard, duct tape, and spray paint. In order to win they must go across the river and back with two people in the boat, and finish first! The picture diagonally to the right of it is of a boy and a girl dressed up for one of the theme nights.
This picture not only shows a fun activity but the feel of developed friendship. Many incoming freshman are concerned about making friends in college and this picture is a good example of friendship. Also, authors post very diverse pictures in these types of situations so that they appeal to a wider range of people. The last picture is of multiple campers yelling a chant. Many freshmen that think about signing up are nervous to experience the atmosphere. This was a great picture to represent the care free and fun atmosphere that frosh camp has.
Everyone participates and no one judges you for it. The quotes, almost considered as in the background, are all positive statements said by former campers. They express all things, from their great experience to the helpful thing they learned while they were there. Quotes from others are always a good source to use when it comes to persuasion. Lastly, at the top of the box, is the session information. This just tells the dates of the different camp sessions. The author chose to use a bold and white text for this information to contrast with the royal blue background in the box.
One can always find important information by how the text is written. The rest of the titles, on the main part of the document, are also very noticeable because of how they are formatted. They, on a blank background, are bolded green titles that state frequently asked questions using the what, when, where, and why scheme. The answers, placed underneath the questions, are noticeably answered by a prior camper. Just by reading them you can tell how they feel about the camp; which you can’t do without attending it. The frosh camp experience is definitely something that every freshman should experience.
The page answers all basic questions one would have about the camp very adequately. The author also successfully presents the purpose. All the titles make it very easy to point it out and understand. On the far left side of the page is a menu bar that has a list of tabs you can click on to find out any information not already shown on the main document. It has things like registration, what to bring, directions, pictures, and videos. The more types of ways to show the camp, the more people will sign up. Some people don’t notice but everyone has different types of things that appeal or interest them.
In order to get convinced, some people may just want to read about it and learn the facts; whereas others may feel that just watching a video is enough for them. Underneath the menu bar is the same standard links that are on every page on the Universities website. Lastly, on the bottom of the page it has all the standard required information for the site and some social networking links to the University of Memphis’ page within them. This is good because people that normally wouldn’t come across the advertisement, have a better chance of seeing it.
I personally came across this document during new student orientation. After reading it, I was ready to sign up and be a part of the hundreds of other freshman that already had. It really explains frosh camp without going too far into detail. When information gets too long, especially with upcoming college freshman as the audience, most of it goes unread. Furthermore, it is organized so that information needed to be found by someone is easy to find and access. Looking at this advertisement now that I have attended the camp, I can really appreciate the authors work. http://www. memphis. edu/froshcamp/froshcamp. php