Final answer:
The ASPCA 'Silent Night' commercial appeals to viewers emotionally, using the contrast of the festive tune 'Silent Night' with distressing images of animals to evoke empathy and encourage donations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The appeal of the ASPCA 'Silent Night' commercial lies in its emotional impact on the audience. The commercial features heartbreaking images of abused and neglected animals with the somber tune of 'Silent Night' playing in the background. The contrast between the traditionally joyful holiday song and the sad plight of the animals is a powerful tool employed by the ASPCA to elicit empathy and encourage viewers to donate. The appeal is generated through pathos, or an emotional appeal, which is created by combining somber music with compelling visuals to strike at viewers' hearts, making the commercial memorable and persuasive.