Research Article

A Rhetorical Analysis of Cosmetic Advertisements: Thinking About Logical Fallacies

Number: 49 June 11, 2026
TR EN

A Rhetorical Analysis of Cosmetic Advertisements: Thinking About Logical Fallacies

Abstract

The rhetoric of advertising, aimed at encouraging consumption, simultaneously seeks to persuade individuals to adopt a particular lifestyle, embrace corresponding values, and think in a certain way. This rhetorical approach primarily relies on exaggerated language that draws on associations, images, and symbols, often incorporating figurative language that creates semantic distortions. Such rhetorical techniques shape ideological connotations within the desired framework. Since advertising constructs pseudo-realities by deviating from truth, it frequently contains informal logical fallacies. This suggests that these fallacies support ideological messaging in advertising. Based on this premise, this study aims to examine the role of logical fallacies in the ideological language and function of advertising by analyzing the rhetoric of cosmetic advertisements. For this purpose, six cosmetic advertisements published in Elle, InStyle, and Vogue magazines between May 2023 and April 2024 were selected as the sample for rhetorical analysis. The study identified numerous informal logical fallacies in relation to the use of persuasive evidence and rhetorical figures in cosmetic advertising. The findings suggest that logical fallacies, with their ability to distort reasoning processes, mislead the mind, and appear valid due to their subtle nature, serve a critical function in supporting the ideological meanings produced through advertising rhetoric.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Advertising Analysis, Advertising Strategies

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 11, 2026

Submission Date

March 1, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 18, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 49

APA
Aslan, S., & Yıldırım, S. (2026). A Rhetorical Analysis of Cosmetic Advertisements: Thinking About Logical Fallacies. Türkiye İletişim Araştırmaları Dergisi, 49, 295-320. https://doi.org/10.17829/turcom.1649102
AMA
1.Aslan S, Yıldırım S. A Rhetorical Analysis of Cosmetic Advertisements: Thinking About Logical Fallacies. TURCOM. 2026;(49):295-320. doi:10.17829/turcom.1649102
Chicago
Aslan, Seçil, and Sema Yıldırım. 2026. “A Rhetorical Analysis of Cosmetic Advertisements: Thinking About Logical Fallacies”. Türkiye İletişim Araştırmaları Dergisi, nos. 49: 295-320. https://doi.org/10.17829/turcom.1649102.
EndNote
Aslan S, Yıldırım S (June 1, 2026) A Rhetorical Analysis of Cosmetic Advertisements: Thinking About Logical Fallacies. Türkiye İletişim Araştırmaları Dergisi 49 295–320.
IEEE
[1]S. Aslan and S. Yıldırım, “A Rhetorical Analysis of Cosmetic Advertisements: Thinking About Logical Fallacies”, TURCOM, no. 49, pp. 295–320, June 2026, doi: 10.17829/turcom.1649102.
ISNAD
Aslan, Seçil - Yıldırım, Sema. “A Rhetorical Analysis of Cosmetic Advertisements: Thinking About Logical Fallacies”. Türkiye İletişim Araştırmaları Dergisi. 49 (June 1, 2026): 295-320. https://doi.org/10.17829/turcom.1649102.
JAMA
1.Aslan S, Yıldırım S. A Rhetorical Analysis of Cosmetic Advertisements: Thinking About Logical Fallacies. TURCOM. 2026;:295–320.
MLA
Aslan, Seçil, and Sema Yıldırım. “A Rhetorical Analysis of Cosmetic Advertisements: Thinking About Logical Fallacies”. Türkiye İletişim Araştırmaları Dergisi, no. 49, June 2026, pp. 295-20, doi:10.17829/turcom.1649102.
Vancouver
1.Seçil Aslan, Sema Yıldırım. A Rhetorical Analysis of Cosmetic Advertisements: Thinking About Logical Fallacies. TURCOM. 2026 Jun. 1;(49):295-320. doi:10.17829/turcom.1649102

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