Some Choice Words

            On Wednesday I got the greatest blessing any college student can receive (well, aside from a snow day); mail. Yes, for once the mailbox that I check on a daily basis actually had something inside of it; a postcard from home.

        

            It made me happy to get mail, but it got me thinking about postcards. Postcards are made with the idea of making people wish they were in the place depicted on the card, and the pictures in the postcards help to achieve these goals.

Now, there’s an age-old saying that a picture says a thousand words, and the one on this particular postcard definitely conveys some messages. A thousand words is a lot to write, though, so here’s four…

1)      Annapolis

The postcard literally says “Annapolis” because not everyone can tell that the picture is of my hometown’s harbor. Case solved!

2)      Beautiful

The sunset works to attract potential tourists by saying that Annapolis is an absolutely stunning town. There’s a reason that this postcard shows the water, too, rather than some field or street. The water reflects the entrancing colors of the sun, and adds to the magnificence of the scene. It essentially works as an extension of the sky’s canvas, so that there’s a “double sunset all the way across the sky,” and double sunsets sell.

3)      Natural

The backdrop of the photo contains nothing but one building and a landscape of trees. That is what attracts onlookers to the town. The fact that Annapolis is not overwhelmingly industrialized and that there is green life everywhere is a huge incentive for people to visit, especially from some metropolis like New York. The idea is that they can go to Annapolis without drowning in smoke and actually see green without going to a confined park.

4)      Traditional

The borders of the card and the font used to spell “Annapolis” aren’t very stylized. In fact, they have a sepia tone that makes the picture look aged, like it came from the 1920’s. In addition, it’s also a pretty simple photograph. All of these elements convey that Annapolis is a simple town, one that isn’t too fancy and just prides itself on its history. People who see this photo would believe Annapolis to be a relaxing and fascinating place to visit, especially those nostalgic tourists who just want to go back to the simple “good old days.”

In effect, this postcard really tries to sell Annapolis to its recipient. The card is meant to make you want to be there, and it tells a thousand words to that effect. Still, if all of those implied words aren’t enough to make you go to Maryland’s capital, there are a few words on the other side that will seal the deal.

At least, that’s enough incentive for me.