Lexie Sanchez

May 7th, 2015

ENGL-120-086
Prof. Julia Remsik Larsen

The Most Terrifying Chapter Yet

Coming soon to a theater near you These words slide across a large
screen as a roomful of wide-eyed movie-goers watch in anticipation. Shortly after, it
begins the trailer for the next upcoming film. For some, this could be the deciding
factor. Did it make me feel excited? Do I know any of the actors? Do the producers
have a good history of films? Insidious 3, releasing on June 5th, 2015, is just one of
the many trailers out now. With two previous films to exceed fan expectations,
audience interest is essential. With the appropriate patterns of rhetoric presented in
the trailer, Insidious 3 will draw in horror movie fans of all ages.
A huge contribution to the amount of audience members a film can draw in is
the inclusion of famous actors or credible producers. The trailer begins with the
credentials of a well-known movie producing company, or Focus Features. Focus
Features is responsible for films such as Brokeback Mountain, Eternal Sunshine of
the Spotless Mind, and Milk. The rhetorical pattern at use in this instance is
comparison. In considering the other popular films created by Focus Features,
viewers might hold up the same standards, good or bad, for Insidious 3. This is also
supported by an appeal to ethos because it could gain audience interest solely from
the previous film history of this production company. In another instance, the
producers, Blumhouse, and a few of their key films, Sinister and The Purge are
noted within the trailer. This is another use of the rhetorical pattern of comparison.
However, based on audience opinion of these two films, this has the potential to
benefit these producers in the box office or ruin their chances of drawing in a large
audience. This is also supported by ethos because these are two popular modern

Lexie Sanchez
May 7th, 2015
ENGL-120-086
Prof. Julia Remsik Larsen
horror films. In other words, these producers have a strong history in the horror film
industry, strengthening their credibility. Finally, the trailer also claims this film to be
the most terrifying chapter yet, forcing viewers to then compare this film with the
previous two. Although the clips may be sufficient enough for some to believe this
may be the most terrifying chapter, some may need to see the film in order to be
convinced. This desire for proof is an excellent advertising strategy, supported by
ethos used by the producers. Because this is a horror film, Insidious 3 being the
scariest of the saga would, in turn, make it the best. Although these were the only
two examples of comparison used in the trailer, it could be the deciding factor for
many viewers as to whether they choose to give this film a chance.
As audience members, the creation of relationships with movie characters is
an effective method of gaining audience interest. Through the use of the rhetorical
pattern of narration, viewers are being walked through a story. Immediately as the
trailer starts, this pattern is present. Following the production credentials at the
start of the trailer, the voice of a young girl is heard. She begins to tell the story of
how she recently lost her mother and how she often feels like she can sense her
presence. This opening scene makes readers feel strong sympathy for the main
character, gaining interest in what happens to her. Because this evokes an
emotional response from viewers, this pattern is also supported by the appeal of
pathos. The use of the story-telling strategy in this short scene is an effective way
to capture audience interest. The use of this pattern is not consistent throughout
the film, as the trailer takes on a third-person approach. Rather than the young girl
telling the story, several other characters begin narrating, such as her father.
As the trailer continues, viewers are exposed to a variety of flashing clips,
images, loud sounds, and frightening features. This is where the element of

Lexie Sanchez
May 7th, 2015
ENGL-120-086
Prof. Julia Remsik Larsen
description is utilized. This pattern is used to literally describe things, as well as
evoke a certain sense that would normally be acquired through touch, taste, or
smell. Description is first present as a woman who is narrating begins explaining a
dangerous entity. As she describes this entity, viewers are also shown visual
depictions of terrifying creatures. In this instance, there is not only a verbal, but a
visual description as well. In a less literal example, there is another part towards the
end of the trailer where the young girl we are first introduced to is attempting to
walk on broken legs, seemingly possessed. As she begins to move forward, there is
strong use of disturbing bone-breaking sound effects. This is an example of
description because it evokes an uncomfortable response in viewers as they
imagine the pain of walking on broken legs. The producers make viewers experience
this feeling through the use of graphic footage of the possessed girl walking and
audible cracking noises. Both of these examples are also supported by the appeal of
pathos because they create a strong emotional response of fear, suspense, and pain
in viewers.
As viewers are being walked through the story of this young girl, they briefly
gain an insight as to why these haunting entities are consuming her life. The trailer
first tells about how the young girl lost her mother. As the trailer continues, viewers
learn that, because the young girl has been calling out to her deceased mother, the
rest of the dead have heard her calls. This is an example of the rhetorical pattern of
cause-and-effect. When the young girl realizes the dangerous consequences of her
innocent actions, this cause-and-effect relationship is established. Again, this
pattern is supported by the appeal to pathos due to the sympathy felt for the young
girl.

Lexie Sanchez
May 7th, 2015
ENGL-120-086
Prof. Julia Remsik Larsen
The use of rhetoric in a movie trailer is essential in order to grab view
attention. Insidious 3 kept in mind their potential audience and appropriately
created the film to fit their expectations. Overall, due to the rhetorical patterns in
this film, I believe Insidious 3 will not let horror movie fans down. Although there is
clear use of rhetorical patterns throughout the trailer, the most evident and
effective is the pattern of description. This trailer was also most successful in their
use of the appeal to pathos. Based on this trailer, filled with blood, spirits, and
horror, Insidious 3 appropriately recognizes the discourse community of scary movie
fans and applies rhetorical appeals and patterns. This may just be the most
terrifying chapter yet.