Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasion OMG! I can’t wait to learn about Ethos, Pathos, and Logos! Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasion

WHO IS ARISTOTLE? Aristotle (384-322 BCE) is the most notable product of the educational program devised by Plato. Aristotle wrote on an amazing range of subjects, from logic, philosophy, and ethics to physics, biology, psychology, politics, and rhetoric.

THREE FORMS OF RHETORIC: ETHOS PATHOS LOGOS

ETHOS (CREDIBILITY) Ethos: the author’s authority/credibility on the subject of the argument A writer needs to convince the reader that: He/she is worth listening to He/she is an authority on the subject He/she is likable and worthy of respect

ETHOS EXAMPLE #1:

ETHOS EXAMPLE #2: In many parts of the world, especially Pakistan and Afghanistan, terrorism, war and conflict stop children to go to their schools. We are really tired of these wars. Women and children are suffering.

PATHOS (EMOTION) Pathos: argument based on feelings A writer should: appeal to readers’ emotions and feelings through language choice.

PATHOS EXAMPLE #1: “I visited Newtown two days after what happened, so it was still very raw. It’s the only time I’ve ever seen Secret Service cry on duty . . . It continues to haunt me. It was one of the worst days of my presidency.”

Pathos Example #2:

LOGOS (LOGIC) Logos: the logic used to support a claim; the facts and statistics used to help support the argument. A writer needs to provide: Effective, logical, factual reasons that support his/her ideas.

LOGOS EXAMPLE #1 Sea levels have risen 6.7 inches over the past century as a result of human-induced global warming. This sea-level rise, which is accelerating, makes coastal storms more destructive.

Logos Example #2:

SYMBOLS FOR THE RHETORICAL TRIANGLE ELEMENTS Logos = Head Ethos = Hand Pathos = Heart