Critical Reading in Everyday Life

*Sorry for the poor quality*

How do I Crack This?

This is the packaging of a packet of Double A A4 paper. The text on the packaging is mainly using the left-to-right orientation with some icons to complement the text. Some texts are framed with dark blue box as headings to the information provided. The packet of paper is made in Thailand as the origin is stated and there is also a small section with Thai language text. To entice the consumer, the company included the ISO labels on the packaging as well.

What does this Mean?

The typography of the label is simple and straight, it may be so to aid easy reading when consumers want to know what they are purchasing.
The label was created by the company which produced the paper, they would know the best way to store/use the paper therefore at the beginning of the label and it is stated “FOR BEST RESULT” as though instructing the consumer what to do with the packet after the purchase.
The inclusion of the of the ISO labels is used to show the manufacturer’s creditability for the quality of goods they produce and by indicating means of contact on the label they are also ensuring to their consumers that they are contactable in times of need or query.
It is interesting to note that the text takes up half of the label and the other half shows the brand of the product spanning across, I suppose this is so to remind the consumer of the brand they are holding on to.

What do I do with this Here and Now?

The company has taken into consideration questions that consumers may have and answered them through the text on the label. By doing so, the consumers will also feel confident in buying their products as they will be able to contact the company if required. If the packaging was blank and if the consumer has any queries the staff of the company will not be there at the spot to answer their queries, so by including instructions and information on the packaging the company is acknowledging that in this current fast paced society people want answers there and then and they will lose out if they do not meet up to the current expectations.
What is the text trying to do to me? In whose interests?
The text is trying to convince the consumer to choose this brand of A4 paper as opposed to picking up another brand. The inclusion of ISO labels (certification that of being environmentally friendly) it will appeal to the environmentally-conscious to play a part in caring for our environment. It is in the company’s interest as the text is there to ensure consumers select their brand over others.




In a Secondary 2 classroom

I would get students to form groups of 4/5. I would also prepare various brands of the back label of A4 paper in the market. Then I will get them to answer questions related to the labels and finally get them to create a back label of their own brand of A4 paper.

Some questions:

• Which brand of A4 paper would you buy based on looking at the information provided on the labels?
• What are the reasons for your choice?
• Is it important to include ISO labels?
• Is it important to be contactable?
• Does the colour play a part in your selection?
• If you were the product designer, what will you include on the label and how would you organise it?
• If the product was for another country would your design be different?
  

The students will try to answer the questions posed to them, then created a label for their own brand. Then they can present their answers, designs and reasons to their classmates. By allowing them to be the designers they will be able to be in the shoes of the company and then they will be able to rationalise why they are selecting certain design and information over others rather than for them to look at it for a 3rd person perspective.