Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Ben Henderson
CAS 137H
Sarah Hauryski
While there are many issues currently to attend to in Congress, one issue not
discussed enough is human sex trafficking and its regulation. Through two different
artifacts, a CNN documentary and a short commercial against human sex trafficking, the
issue of human sex trafficking is brought to the attention of the American citizen. Both
artifacts use ethos, pathos, commonplaces and ideologies to make it understood that
human trafficking is an issue that we must not only talk about, but also take a stand
against. The issue of human sex trafficking is one that is not often explored, and it is
through these two civic artifacts that the issue is brought to light.
The CNN documentary and commercial explore the issue of human sex
trafficking through the use of ethos, pathos, and commonplaces; however, both use these
rhetorical devices in different ways. The CNN documentary focuses on human sex
trafficking in an informative way by attempting to show the viewer the truth behind
human sex trafficking. The CNN documentary highlights real people and their stories,
consequently proving to people that human sex trafficking is a real issue that does need to
be talked about and resolved. The issue of human sex trafficking can seem distant at
times as many people do not know anyone personally affected by this; however, the
second civic artifact addresses this by creating a realistic scenario in which an ordinary
girl is tricked and then forced into the world of human sex trafficking. The mood of the
commercial is set from the beginning due to the rhetorical choice of no talking, and dark
and depressing music playing throughout. The commercial draws a parallel between
slavery 150 years ago and human sex trafficking, and it is this comparison that will draw

the attention of anyone watching because it is so shocking and unexpected. Human sex
trafficking is modern day slavery, and this is an underexplored issue and one that not
many are aware of. Through the use of ethos, pathos, commonplaces and ideologies, the
viewers of both the CNN documentary and commercial are educated about human sex
trafficking and invited to take a stand against it.
In the CNN documentary, Children for Sale: The Fight to End Human Trafficking,
CNN seeks to not only educate its audience on the lesser known, but very widespread
issue of sex trafficking, but also to motivate people to want to become more educated on
this issue. Through the use of rhetorical devices, the documentary encourages viewer to
seek more knowledge regarding human sex trafficking. The creators of this documentary
purposely chose actress Jada Pinkett Smith as the narrator and face of their campaign.
CNN understands that the ethos of Jada Pinkett Smith will motivate viewers to want to
become self aware of this issue because they will feel as if an issue that Jada Pinkett
Smith promotes is an issue worth promoting. Similarly, the second civic artifact also uses
ethos to educate viewers. In the commercial, Im with Lincoln, the commercial
advocates against human sex trafficking uses the ethos of Abraham Lincoln and kairos to
create a plea for advocacy against human sex trafficking. This commercial makes it
known that modern slavery still exists today and compares slavery 150 years ago to the
current-day problem of human sex trafficking. This commercial calls out Americans by
saying that Lincoln ended slavery 150 years ago, but there are more people enslaved
currently than ever before. Lincoln is a powerful choice for credibility because everyone
knows whom he is and will want to advocate for a cause that he, Abraham Lincoln,
advocated. The commercial goes even further though, in criticizing Americans and their

lack of advocacy, when the commercial makes the claim that if we as Americans do not
raise awareness and advocate for this cause, then the history of slavery can and will
repeat itself.
The CNN documentary also uses pathos as a way to raise awareness and
knowledge regarding human sex trafficking. After the viewers see the images shown in
the documentary, they are going to want to become more educated on the harms of
human sex trafficking simply because of the result the use of pathos evokes on them; they
will feel sadness for the victims of human trafficking and want to become more aware.
The documentary plays with the viewers emotion by showing images of girls walking
the streets early in the morning alone and showing girls who look severely beaten. The
documentary also interviews girls who have survived being human trafficked, and it is
obvious to the viewers the effect this has had on these girls which will ignite a reaction
from any parent.
The commercial also uses pathos; however, this artifact sets up the pathos with
the additional use of selected theatrical elements. The commercial does not use words
throughout its entirety and shows a fictitious story involving a victim of human
trafficking and her captor. The story that is told is realistic in that the girl falls for this
young man who she thinks she can trust; however, things take a turn for the worst when
he traps her in his basement forcing her into the world of human sex trafficking. The fact
that this commercial does not use words and instead relies on the fictitious story,
combined with the use of dark and distressing music, sets up a depressing mood for the
entirety of the commercial and causes viewers to reflect on the severity of this issue and
realize how easy it can be to become a victim of human sex trafficking. The lack of

words, combined with the upsetting images and plot line the viewers are shown, help to
create a strong sense of pathos.
After the CNN documentary educates viewers on the truths behind human sex trafficking,
they are then invited to advocate against human sex trafficking by tweeting about human
sex trafficking with a specific hashtag. The use of this commonplace is helpful in
reaching out to the audience, as it allows for people to feel less distant from an issue that
they might not ever experience firsthand. By using a hashtag, more people are able to be
aware and educated about the issues of human sex trafficking.
The commercial wants people to personally take a stand against human sex trafficking by
challenging them to tweet with the hashtag, Im with Lincoln. The commonplace of
social media allows for more people to become more aware in regard to this issue. The
commercial urges people to end what Lincoln attempted to end and to not only support
this cause, but to also make it more known. The creators of this commercial wants this
issue to gain as much attention as possible; so much so that Congress will have no other
choice but to take notice and pass stricter legislation.
Through the use of ethos, pathos and commonplaces, Americans are being educated about
an issue that is not often discussed and not readily promoted. Both civic artifacts make it
clear that this issue is becoming more and more recognized; however, it is still not a
priority amongst congress and the United States of America. This issue is affecting our
country as a whole and the creators of these civic artifacts believe that it is time that this
cause be more of a concern to all of us. They believe that we need to not only advocate
for this cause, but also end it altogether. Both artifacts take different approaches when
raising awareness and educating the public on this issue; however, both ways are equally

effective. The CNN documentary is factual evidence and is supported by true stories and
actual people, while the commercial uses fictitious evidence. The commercial takes a
unique approach in that it raises awareness for human sex trafficking by using a fictitious
story and drawing a parallel between slavery 150 years ago and modern day slavery.
Both artifacts use similar rhetorical devices to engage the audience, but use
different approaches when using these rhetorical devices. The first civic artifact uses an
actress, while the second uses late President Lincoln. Both civic artifacts also play
heavily with emotions and both civic artifacts attempt to make the viewers feel
sympathetic towards the victims. The civic artifacts also use the same commonplace. The
two civic artifacts, the documentary and the commercial, make use of social media in an
attempt to make it more convenient and reachable to advocate for this cause. Through the
use of creating a social media hashtag, the creators of these two mediums attempt to get
people to take a stand against human sex trafficking. The creators of the documentary and
the commercial first prove why their cause is plausible, then they make the audience
sympathize with their cause and then they personally invite viewers to help advocate for
their cause. And while the ideologies are not outright told in these two civic artifacts, they
are still evident. Through the use of ethos, pathos, ideologies and commonplaces, both the
CNN documentary and the commercial not only educate people on the unknown harms of
human sex trafficking, but also make people want to become advocates for this cause.
Human sex trafficking is a serious offence that is not readily known to the general public,
and through these two mediums it is an issue that is explored and will generate more
discussion in the near future.