Download “Three Ways to Persuade”

“Three Ways to
Persuade”
A Rhetorical
Strategy
In his article “Three Ways to Persuade,” John Edlund
discusses Aristotle’s ways to persuade: ethos, logos,
and pathos. Ethos, Greek for ethics or ethical, describes
how the character or image of the speaker is presented
to the audience such as through their goodwill,
authority, or expertise. Logos, which is valued over
ethos and pathos, uses formal reasoning like science or
rhetorical reasoning like syllogisms and enthymemes.
Pathos “influences rational judgments” because they
target people’s emotions, which are motivating forces.
Edlund explains that the use of these appeals can be
effective rhetorical techniques to persuade an audience.
Ethos: The Writer’s Character or
Image
• What character or image appears to the
audience?
• Goodwill, authority, expertise
• Writer’s ethos created by diction & style
• What does Edlund use to help explain
ethos?
• Examples: advertising & celebrities
Logos: Logical Arguments
• Valued over speaker’s character or audience’s
emotions
• Formal logic/scientific reasoning
• Syllogisms – a form of reasoning
• Enthymeme – type of syllogism that is
assumed (can lead to faulty assumptions)
• Goal is to convince that assumptions are true
• What does Edlund use to help explain
logos?
• Historical Example: Bubonic Plague
Pathos: The Emotions of the
Audience
• Emotions influence rational judgements
• Often seen in politics and advertising
• What does Edlund use to help explain
pathos?
• Historical, Political, & Social Examples
PAPA Square: Rhetorical Analysis
• Answering these questions helps to analyze
the rhetoric (persuasive skills) a writer uses
Purpose:
Inform, persuade,
entertain
Audience:
Intended readers
Rhetorical Methods
& Strategies:
•Ethical Appeals
•Emotional Appeals
•Logical Appeals
•Stylistic Devices
Persona:
Public image/tone
Argument:
Thesis/main idea
Let’s
Practice
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Argument
Purpose
Audience
Persona
Rhetorical
Strategies
• Ethos
• Pathos
• Logos