Analysis of Commercials: Furkids and ASPCA

Read the following chapters in WWM Chapter 10: What is Rhetoric, Chapter 12: The Rhetorical Situation, and Chapter 43:Visual Rhetoric.
You will analyze two commercials in your 250 word Initial Post: Furkids https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F_8qaQ3DD0&pp=ygUSZnVya2lkcyBjb21tZXJjaWFs. and ASPCA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu_JqNdp2As&pp=ygUFYXNwY2E%3D.
The questions: What appeals are used in the commercials (and where). (Give examples.) How effective are the appeals? What makes them effective/ineffective?
Please explain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F_8qaQ3DD0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu_JqNdp2As

Analysis of Commercials: Furkids and ASPCA Furkids Commercial The Furkids commercial utilizes various rhetorical appeals to engage viewers and persuade them to adopt a pet. Ethos: The commercial begins by establishing credibility through the use of logos, displaying the organization’s name, Furkids, which implies professionalism and expertise in animal welfare. The presence of real volunteers and staff members in the commercial adds credibility and trustworthiness to the message. Pathos: Emotional appeal is prominent throughout the commercial. It showcases cute and adorable animals, evoking feelings of compassion, empathy, and a desire to help. The background music is soft and uplifting, enhancing the emotional connection with the audience. Logos: Logical appeal is employed by providing factual information about the number of animals in need of homes and the benefits of adopting. Testimonials from satisfied adopters and the claim that Furkids is a no-kill shelter support the logical argument. The appeals used in the Furkids commercial are highly effective. By combining emotional appeal with credibility and logical reasoning, the commercial successfully conveys its message. The use of adorable animals and heartwarming stories creates an emotional connection with viewers, sparking a desire to adopt a pet. The logical appeals provide compelling reasons to support the cause. The overall effectiveness lies in the ability of the commercial to grab attention, elicit an emotional response, and provide logical justifications for taking action. ASPCA Commercial The ASPCA commercial aims to raise awareness about animal cruelty and encourage donations to support their cause. Pathos: Emotional appeal is central to this commercial. It uses images of animals suffering from neglect and abuse, accompanied by sad background music, to evoke strong feelings of empathy and compassion. The voice-over narration by Sarah McLachlan adds to the emotional impact, as her soft-spoken tone creates a sense of urgency and sadness. Ethos: The commercial establishes credibility by displaying the ASPCA logo and providing information about their mission to prevent animal cruelty. Testimonials from animal rescue workers create an emotional connection and further enhance the organization’s credibility. The appeals used in the ASPCA commercial are highly effective but can also be polarizing. The emotional appeal successfully grabs viewers’ attention and elicits a strong emotional response, motivating them to take action. However, some viewers may find the graphic images and sad music overwhelming or distressing. The commercial’s effectiveness lies in its ability to create an emotional impact and generate a sense of urgency to support the cause. However, it may also be seen as manipulative by some due to its heavy reliance on emotional manipulation. In conclusion, both the Furkids and ASPCA commercials effectively utilize rhetorical appeals to engage viewers, evoke emotions, and persuade them to take action. While the Furkids commercial strikes a balance between emotional appeal, credibility, and logical reasoning, the ASPCA commercial leans heavily on emotional manipulation, which can be divisive among viewers.

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