Music Video: Michael Jackson's "Beat It"

1- Argument: Fighting to prove a point is a waste of your time because it is better to resolve differences without violence.

2- Audience: Young men with hot tempers who seek to prove themselves through fighting.

3- Goal: To convince the audience to find some way (such as dancing) to live peacefully with people they don't agree with.

4- How the argument was made:
*Ethos: Michael Jackson establishes that he has authority on the subject by showing that he is aware of the issue and able to deal with it by setting a good example. Mostly, though, he already has authority just because he is Michael Jackson. The audience for this music video already admires/respects him.
*Pathos: The over-the-top nature of the gang fight (almost) shown serves to make the audience feel that it really was quite pointless. The feeling that the fight could so easily be avoided is the main method of persuasion used.
*Typical: The resolution of this intended gang fight is not typical. Usually, a caring peacemaker with sweet dance moves does not come to show people a better way to get over differences.

5- Effectiveness: This seems moderately effective as an argument. The overly dramatic scenes shown make a point that a fight can be avoided.