The Friends of Argument Ethos Logos Pathos

Persuasion Boston Legal Clip The clip is from an episode about a lawyer who attempts to argue in a Texas court that a man’s death sentence should not be carried out. First, just watch. Second, watch with a pen and make note of whether the lawyer's argument is effective. Note what is happening as he speaks. What seems to be working? What doesn’t seem to be working? What do you think the verdict will ultimately be and why?

Writing Argument Aristotle taught that a speaker’s ability to persuade an audience is based on how well the speaker appeals to that audience in three different areas: ETHOS--LOGOS—PATHOS Considered together, these appeals form what later rhetoricians have called the RHETORICAL TRIANGLE.

Writing Argument (continued) Logos, ethos, and pathos are important components of all writing, whether we are aware of them or not. By learning to recognize ethos, logos, and pathos in the writing of others and in our own, we can create texts that appeal to readers on many different levels. Effective writers strike a balance—one that suits their TOPIC, their PURPOSE, and, maybe most importantly, their AUDIENCE

Rhetorical Triangle

Ethos The ETHICAL appeal of the writer/speaker Appeal of the writer’s character. Ethos can also be thought of as the role of the writer in the argument, and how credible his/her argument is. VW Commercial Cold Commercial OxyClean

Pathos PASSIONATE or EMOTIONAL appeal appeals to the emotions and the sympathetic imagination, as well as to beliefs and values. Pathos can also be thought of as the role of the audience in the argument. Smoking Commercial Texting Commercial Cola Commercial

Logos LOGICAL appeal appeals to reason. Logos can also be thought of as the text of the argument, as well as how well a writer has argued his/her point. Car Insurance Break up Soup

Rhetorical Balance The rhetorical triangle is typically represented by an equilateral triangle, suggesting that logos, ethos, and pathos should be balanced within a text. However, which aspect(s) of the rhetorical triangle you favor in your writing depends on both the AUDIENCE and the PURPOSE of that writing. Yet, if you are in doubt, seek a BALANCE among all three elements. Make Poverty History ad

Denotation vs Connotation Denotation refers to the dictionary definition Connotation refers to the secondary meanings, undertones, and implications Consider the following: petite—short—midget elderly—old—senior statuesque—tall—immense slender—thin—scrawny compact—small---tiny sensitive—kind---emotional