• Medium and Message: Smith employs an extended metaphor of an advertisement wall that changes over time to convey complex thoughts and feelings. She examines the influence of media on perception, underlining the importance of understanding context in text analysis.

• Essay Structure and Argument Development: The essay's format is not strictly linear; it develops an argument by "feeling" its way to a conclusion. This mirrors the process of interpretation and understanding in text analysis, where insights often emerge gradually rather than all at once.

• Exploring the Textual Commentary: Smith's essay could be considered a commentary on an ad. It delves into how different aspects of the ad (imagery, text, placement) contribute to its overall message and the emotional response it evokes.

Thoughts and Feelings in an Essay

• The essay is a medium designed for the expression of complex thoughts and feelings. This complexity often makes the process of reaching a conclusion non-linear, characterized by gradual exploration and development of ideas.

• Real-world example: Think about how you solve a complex math problem. You often don't get to the solution directly, but through a series of steps and sometimes even backtracking when you hit a dead-end.

Text Commentary: Advertisement Analysis

• Smith’s narrative offers a commentary on the changing advertisements on a wall visible from her apartment. Her feelings and reactions to these ads and her reflections on them present the text's thematic core.

• Real-world example: It's like how you interpret a movie poster before watching the film. You anticipate the plot, the mood, and the characters based on what you see.

The Ad: More Than Meets the Eye

• The ad is a conduit for a myriad of feelings and thoughts, despite its seemingly simple message. Smith dives into the subtext and implications of the message "Find your beach."

• Real-world example: A logo like Apple's apple-with-a-bite isn't just a picture. It represents innovation, simplicity, and user-focused design principles.

The Power of Context

• The effectiveness of the ad is highly dependent on its location and the intended audience. It takes into account the sophisticated Soho crowd, who would not appreciate a cliched ad.

• Real-world example: You'd probably present a product differently to a group of teenagers than you would to a group of senior citizens. You consider your audience's interests, knowledge, and preferences.

Changing Tides of Advertisement

• Smith contrasts past advertisements' communal focus with contemporary ones, suggesting a shift in societal values, from collectivism to individualism.

• Real-world example: Early Coca-Cola ads often showed groups of people enjoying a coke together, emphasizing camaraderie. Nowadays, ads focus more on the individual experience, such as how a product can enhance your lifestyle or self-image.