Download Ethos, Pathos, Logos

A Lesson on
Rhetorical Devices:
Ethos, Pathos, Logos
What is Rhetoric?
 Rhetoric (n) - the art of speaking or writing
effectively (Webster's Definition).
 According to Aristotle, rhetoric is "the ability, in
each particular case, to see the available
means of persuasion." He described three main
forms of rhetoric: Ethos, Logos, and Pathos.

In order to be a more effective writer, you must understand these three terms.
You will better understand their meanings which will make your writing more
persuasive.
Three Forms of Rhetoric…
 Ethos
 Logos
 Pathos
Ethos (Credibility)
 Ethos: the source's credibility, the
speaker's/author's authority
 We tend to believe people whom we respect. One of
the central problems of argumentation is to project an
impression to the reader that you are someone worth
listening to, in other words making yourself as author
into an authority on the subject of the paper, as well
as someone who is likable and worthy of respect.
Ethos Example:
 Product: George Foreman and his
Grilling Machine
 Repertoire: Boxing Champ and a
Preacher
 Why is George Foreman credible?
Logos (Logical)
 Logos: the logic used to support a claim
(induction and deduction); can also be
the facts and statistics used to help
support the argument.
 Persuading by the use of reasoning.
 An effective and persuasive reason that
supports your ideas.
Logos Example:
 Idea: Students should be allowed to use
cell phones during school hours.



List three supporting facts and/or statistics that
will support the aforementioned idea.
Logos Example
continued…
Few of our children breathe
fresh air in their schools,
which are being sprayed,
inside and out, with
millions of pounds of
deadly, nervous system
destroying pesticides.
What are the details
provided in this claim?
Pathos (Emotional)
 Pathos: persuading by appealing to the
reader's emotions. Emotional appeals,
are used to persuade. Language choice
affects the audience's emotional
response, and emotional appeal can
effectively be used to enhance an
argument.
 How? Anecdotal writing or narratives
within persuasive writing
Pathos Example:
 How does this
advertisement
appeal to
emotion?
 Why?
How do I use the appeals in
writing?
 Make sure you add a little of each:
 Emotion
 Credibility/Authority
 Logic
 A full argument exists when you use all three of
these
Pathos, Logos, Ethos skits
 Get in 3 small groups
 Each group will get an “appeal” (pathos,
logos, or ethos)
 Pretend your group is trying to persuade
an audience to purchase a new pair of
shoes
 Use your assigned appeal to persuade
the audience (the classroom) as to why
they should purchase the shoes