1
Rhetorical Analysis
ENG 105
2
Introduction
The majority of people go through life without questioning why they are in that situation. Sabrina
Carpenter's “Thumbs” uses ethos, pathos, and logos to make the point that people should stop worrying
about what people think about them. She builds credibility, ethos, as a narrator, appeals to anger, pathos,
to challenge the status quo, and presents a logical argument, logos, regarding mindless conformity to
expectations. With these appeals, Thumbs delivers a message in the form of a catchy song.
Ethos
In Sabrina Carpenter's “Thumbs”, ethos is established by the assertive and sympathetic tone of
the narrator in explaining the cycle of life and what society expects. She presents herself as an observer
who is aware of the unavoidability of routine and conformity and, therefore, establishes herself as
Rhetorical Analysis
ENG 105
2
Introduction
The majority of people go through life without questioning why they are in that situation. Sabrina
Carpenter's “Thumbs” uses ethos, pathos, and logos to make the point that people should stop worrying
about what people think about them. She builds credibility, ethos, as a narrator, appeals to anger, pathos,
to challenge the status quo, and presents a logical argument, logos, regarding mindless conformity to
expectations. With these appeals, Thumbs delivers a message in the form of a catchy song.
Ethos
In Sabrina Carpenter's “Thumbs”, ethos is established by the assertive and sympathetic tone of
the narrator in explaining the cycle of life and what society expects. She presents herself as an observer
who is aware of the unavoidability of routine and conformity and, therefore, establishes herself as
