Ethos, Pathos, and Logos

1. Ethos, Pathos, and Logos • Many of the argument analysis and argument construction prompts will assess your ability to manipulate the holy trinity of argumentation: ethos, pathos, and logos. • *Taken from handout by Kevin Howard, AP Teacher and Reader.

2. Ethos • Demonstrates that the writer has put in research time • Supports reasons with logical evidence • Provides a carefully crafted & edited argument • Demonstrates that the writer knows/respects audience • Makes the audience believe writer is trustworthy • Convince the audience the writer is reliable

3. Pathos • Uses language that involves the senses • Includes a bias or prejudice • Uses emotional diction • Includes a compelling anecdote • Uses description • Uses figurative language • Develops a charged tone

4. Logos • Cites traditional culture and commonly held beliefs. • Alludes to history, religious texts, literature, and mythology • Cites authorities • Provides apt examples • Uses facts • Explores causes/effects • Constructs analogies and metaphors • Order chronologically • Argue from precedent

5. Important: • Keep in mind that the AP readers will NOT be impressed if you use the generic terms; they want you to cite specific techniques that fall within each term (better an emotional anecdote than pathos; better provides eye-witness testimony rather than logos, etc.). To that end, be sure (when writing your papers) to refer to the EXAMPLES such as the ones I’ve given you, NOT the generic terms.