"Citizen Soldier" by 3 Doors Down

This music video by 3 Doors Down, "Citizen Soldier", attracted me because I thought it was an interesting and meaningful way to portray the purpose of the song. It uses the ideas of ethos, pathos, and logos to be persuasive and rhetorical. The sense of character and credibility or ethos, is an effective way to reach out to the audience. The beginning scene shows contrast between young guys in an innocent lifestyle passing the football, to the transition to the life of a soldier. It reinforces the idea that soldiers have unselfish motives and go through a lot in order to protect or serve the country. The words that appear periodically throughout the video give credibility or portray trustworthiness to the ones that serve. For example, the words "I'll be there to help", "I fired the shot that started a nation", and "I am an expert and a professional" are a few that display the bravery, trust,  and credibility of a soldier. Emotional appeals or appeals to pathos, are also a powerful way for influence in this music video. Even just the contrast of color from the "normal" life to the war zone is effective. Saving the little boy, the soldier kissing his ring before charging, and rescuing the fallen soldier are all ways that could emotionally appeal to someone to convince them that being a soldier displays bravery and respect. Logos also works to be persuasive. There are no exact facts given, but the video uses artistic proofs to get the point across or appeal to reason. The use of different war scenes, including ones from different times, might appeal to someone logically because we already know the history. Ethos, pathos, and logos are all used in this music video in a convincing way.