Monday, December 1, 2008

Music Video Rhetorical Analysis



This video uses the rhetorical strategies of logos, pathos, and ethos. Each of these strategies shapes the video in every way. Without melding the strategies with his music the video wouldn't make sense. Most musicians are all about getting the ratings that allow them to make more money.

The video employs logos in the opening scenes of the video by using compare and contrast. He compares the life of an average fast food employee and that of a girl that is taken care of by him. He also employs description by telling the girl what he can get her if she is his girlfriend. He also uses cause and effect. He does this by saying if you are my girlfriend then you can have whatever you like. These implications of logos directly shape how T.I. puts his music video together.

The video appeals to pathos as well. The chorus appeals directly to pathos everytime that it appears in the lyrics and video. This is because money, diamonds, and expensive cars make everyone wish that was their life. It also has a sense of sexual appeal in it also. The clothes that the girl wears are awefully revealing. I know that girls also like to look at T.I. and drool over him. The video also appeals to pathos through the clothes that everyone wears. However I believe that the video exaggerates pathos by giving the audience a sense of false need. The lyrics say that you necessarily need diamonds, money, and expensive cars to survive in this world.

The video appeals to ethos along with logos and pathos. The appeal to ethos is seen in the products that T.I. promises his new girlfriend. All of the goods are made by brands that are typically of higher quality. These include Lamberguini and Rolls Royce. These brands are considered to be the highest quality of their products. These things appeal to the ethos of the video.

T.I.

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