A Guide to Ethos, Pathos, and Logos By Chuck Bennett A Guide to Ethos, Pathos, and Logos for “WAY SMART” Middle School Students

There is one thing that ALL of you will be wanting in the next few years.

Here’s a hint…

Here’s another hint…

Maybe you’ll be satisfied with your parents’ car. Maybe not.

You are probably thinking…

OR

OR

OR

OR

It wont be easy to convince your parents, but a guy from back in the day wants to help.

Student of Plato Greek Philosopher One of the greatest minds in all of history… can help you get a car. Teacher of Alexander the Great Aristotle

The Art of Persuasion Rhetoric

Have you given me any evidence that I can trust you? Ethos Appeal to Authority Ethical Pathos Are you credible? Logos

Do you make me feel like you and I want the same thing? Ethos Appeal to Emotion Pathos Sympathetic Logos

Does your argument make sense? Ethos Does your argument make sense? Appeal to Reason Logical Pathos Logos

Rhetoric The Art of Persuasion

Now, let me help you get that car. Ethos Ethical Now, let me help you get that car. Pathos Sympathetic Logos Logical

The first and most important step in making a persuasive argument is to think about your audience.

In this case, your audience is your parents.

An argument that might work on your friends might not convince your parents.

You have to look at this from their point of view.

Now, make a list of arguments you can use to convince your parents that you need your own car.

Then, rank those arguments from most effective to least effective.

Finally, using the terms ethos, logos and pathos, label each argument. (Some arguments may be a combination.)

Let’s look at a few examples.

A car of my own would be AWESOME! Pathos A car of my own would be AWESOME!

You can trust me. I always remember to feed the dog. Ethos You can trust me. I always remember to feed the dog.

You will have more time, since I can drive myself to school. Logos You will have more time, since I can drive myself to school.

Pathos Everybody else has one.

As you analyze your arguments ask yourself some questions.

Which type or mode of argument is the most effective?

Is there any mode of argument that you could do without?

Is there any mode of argument that you absolutely must have?

There is a lot more that you can learn about rhetoric. In fact, rhetoric is one of the first classes most people take in college.

Finally, how might learning more about ethos, pathos, and logos help you in the future?