This week’s writing prompt will give you a chance to hone your persuasive writing skills.
Write an eBay ad for a household item that you desperately want to get rid of. Feel free to use hyperbole and embellish wildly. No visual aids, though, rely on your wordsmith skills to describe and sell this “treasure.” Have fun with it. And remember, this is ad copy so be concise—300 words or fewer.
You can post your fake ads here or on the forum. I can’t wait to read these.
-Maria Schneider
flickr photo: kevindooley
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Not exactly fake, and not exactly eBay, but…
I sold a 1950’s-vintage JC Higgins bike on craigslist a couple of months ago. The muse kissed me as I dreamed up the ad, targeting college students:
“This is not mere transportation; this is the JC Higgins Experience. Even the term ‘cream puff’ does not do it justice.
You’ll be the envy of your campus astride this durable, well-built machine preserved from the days of wooden ships and iron men. The Higgins will take you from dorm to class or between classes in comfort, style and opulence.
You can go to Wal-Mart and get a bicycle made from recycled Budweiser cans, or you can get the Higgins, marketed by Sears (you remember Sears, don’t you?) during the Truman administration (you remember Truman, don’t you?) and built to take whatever punishment campus life may inflict on it for as many years as you can stay in school.
Overhauled in 1973; rear tube and tire replaced last month.”
Naturally, I cast my pearls before swine, but pearls were coming easily to me that day. An antique merchant in Mexicali bought it. I’m sure he had no idea who Truman was.
John
Recently withdrawn from E-bay:
For sale, a slightly used Illinois senate seat, hand crafted, fine leather. Former owner did very well and his good fortune might rub off on you! Reserve on this item is $250,000.
Contact rodblag@ILstatehouse.guv