Ethos, Pathos, Logos

1. Ethos, Pathos, Logos The Three Appeals of Argument

2. Rhetoric • Approximately 2300 years ago Aristotle wrote a piece, On Rhetoric, in which he laid out the three elements of persuasion: ethos, logos and pathos. • Rhetoric is defined as the art of persuasion, and Aristotle’s writing on it is considered a seminal work for other how-to guides through the years.

3. Ethos • Ethical appeal

4. Ethos • Definition: In rhetoric, ethos refers to the values, credibility, and/or background of the speaker • (e.g. shows that the person making the argument has a certain degree of credibility, is of good character and sound sense, and is qualified to be making the argument) • Environmental issues: Al Gore’s ethos vs. Brad Pitt • Guiding Questions: Are you someone worth listening to? Do you know what you’re talking about?

5. Creating Ethos • Be your best self…act in such as way as to gain your audience’s trust. • Be(come) an expert on your topic. • Give yourself props…let your audience know how your past experiences have made you a credible source. • Talk to your audience. Know who you’re talking to and speak in terms and with examples they can understand. • Quote reliable sources.

6. Pathos • Emotional appeal

7. Pathos • Definition: In rhetoric, pathos refers to emotions/feelings • It is appropriate to use emotional appeal in your argument • Trouble occurs when you make this the sole or primary basis of your argument • Guiding Question: Can the reader connect with you on an emotional level? Can you make them care about what you are saying?

8. Creating Pathos • Use in conjunction with logos to reach your audience • Emotions appeal to audience more powerfully than reason alone • Can be used effectively in anecdotal evidence • Use humor • Use analogies (joblessness is a disease infecting our nation) • Use words, tones, expressions, gestures, etc that convey emotion • Know your audience…universal human emotions and particular groups’ concerns

9. Logos • Rational appeal

10. Logos • Definition: In rhetoric, logos refers to logic/reasoning. • Based on logical argument & appropriate evidence • Logical arguments commonly of two types: • Deductive • Inductive • Guiding Question: Does what you are saying make sense? Does your evidence add up to your conclusion?

11. Creating Logos • Be crystal clear….use plain terms and break everything down • Go through sequences and processes (if a=b and b=c, then a=c) • Use data and details • Use analogies that they know and understand • Look at the opposing side’s views and counter them • Use real life examples • Cite research

12. Ethos: Are you a credible source? An expert? Have you done your research? • Pathos: Are you connecting to your audience on an emotional level? • Logos: Are your points rational? Have you thought this through? Does your evidence support your thesis?

14. Tree Map Practice

15. An argument based on evidence • An argument based on feelings • An argument based on morality • An argument based on statistics • An argument based on reasoning • An argument based on sympathies • An argument based on facts • An argument based on laws • An argument based on human needs • An argument based on religious beliefs • An argument based on justice and fairness • An argument based on shocking anecdotes.