Every day, we hear about the planet’s declining state. Climate change, famines rising sea levels or wars are all topics that we hear almost daily. These are not new issues. They’re happening all over the world. Michael Jackson, one the greatest musicians of all time, was a constant mentionner of these important subjects in his music videos and live performances as well as interviews. One of his lesser-known pieces, “Earth Song”, was inspired by the state of the world in 1995. I’d say that his words remain relevant nearly 24 years later. He says that people have forgotten the fragility and fragility of the earth and its ecosystems. We need to do something about it. Jackson’s lyrics are clear enough to see the negative effects of many of the decisions and disasters we have made as humans. It’s possible to understand Jackson’s rhetorical appeals by looking at them. Jackson wanted to make the world aware of the predicaments mankind is in today. He shows the world the destruction caused by our actions, such as pollution, poaching, wars and the destruction of rainforests. Jackson, who is a strong believer in ethos, filmed the music videos at four locations to display some of the damage he sung about. Jackson wants us to remember the irreversible consequences of our actions. Jackson urges us to be mindful of our actions, as we often fail to see the consequences of our actions. Humans are so used to going about their day without thinking about the consequences of our actions that we don’t realize what he is saying. Jackson’s powerful lyrics are accompanied with a soothing melody in the song’s beginning. These topics are enticing because of their moving lyrics and beautiful visuals. Jackson uses “we” and the “us” words throughout the song to demonstrate his ethos. Jackson also displays ethos by using the words “we” and “us” to highlight his positive character. This song shows his intention to make a difference in the world.
Jackson then continues his argument by asking questions to the audience throughout the song. These questions are a great way to increase his appeal through the emotion of the audience. The video features a tribe gazing at an elephant’s corpse with its tusks gone. It is a powerful, disturbing image that reveals the reality behind poaching. Jackson asks Jackson “What has the world done for us?” Take a look at what we have done. He asks the audience to consider the effects of their actions on the planet and how they can be changed. Jackson’s Logos Appeal were included in the Pathos appeals. He presented facts with footage from the Amazon forest deforestation and the animals poaching in Tanzania. These are real-life events that have occurred and still occur in certain areas of the globe. Jackson did not provide statistics or numbers, but he did provide footage to show that his logos appeals are still relevant.
Jackson’s final video has an even stronger appeal for his pathos. Jackson shouts out the lyrics at the end, and simultaneously a storm sweeps across the globe. Jackson keeps asking more questions to keep the audience engaged. Jackson continues asking the audience questions throughout the song, including “What about Us?” He responds, “What about forest trail?” “Burnt, even despite our pleas,” is his response to the main scene of the video. He is seen walking alone through what appears like a burned forest.
Jackson shouts his last lyrics of the song. It shows deforestation, pollution, and death being reversed. All three rhetorical appeals are demonstrated in the video’s ending. Through asking questions to the listeners throughout the song, he displays his knowledge of the topic and builds his credibility. His lyrics continue to touch the emotions of the audience. Jackson asks, “What about children who are dying?” Jackson is asking the audience to create a sympathetic image of children and think about their future. Jackson showed us a picture of a child in Croatia who died in war. This added to Jackson’s sense of humor. His logo appeal is strengthened by his ability to show the world that we can fix the damage we do to the planet. Jackson ends and begins the video by telling his audience the extent of the planet’s damage. Jackson’s feelings about the topic he sings about are easily felt by the viewers through all of his music, lyrics, video, and videos. He was able to support his argument by using logos appeals and pathos when he sang about such serious topics. Understanding the rhetorical appeals used by an author can help you understand their reasoning.
