Rhetorical Triangle

Rhetorical Appeals: the three main avenues by which people are persuaded Logos Ethos Pathos

Logos Logos: Strategy of reason, logic, or facts. Any type of argument which appeals to someones rational side is appealing to logos.

Ethos Ethos: Strategy of credibility, authority, or character. Appeals to ethos to demonstrate the author’s trustworthiness, expertise and honesty and attempt to put the author in a more positive light to the audience.

Pathos Pathos: Strategy of emotions and affect. Pathos appeals to an audience’s sense of anger, sorrow, or excitement.

Logos: An appeal to logic. The information about the risks of eating pork rinds comes from no fewer than seven scientific studies published in respected journals. Each study was reviewed by a panel of readers who did not know the authors. The journals receive no outside funding except from their subscribers. Based on these factors, one must conclude that unless other studies come forward, pork-rind consumption poses health risks.

Pathos: Appeals to emotion are common in non-academic writing but tend to distort factual evidence When you see someone reaching for the pork rinds in the supermarket, you should slap it out of their hands and tell them the terrible story of these crunchy death-bags full of poison. Oh, consider the children who will grown up addicted to these vile things, unless we all act now!

Ethos: Can rely on reputation or experiences to prove a point Ethos: Can rely on reputation or experiences to prove a point. Credibility is key to winning an audience's belief and support for one's argument. Darleen Diggler of Greasy Bottom, VA, was the first to testify at the Congressional hearing on pork rinds. Ms. Diggler, who had suffered four heart attacks, needed assistance getting into the chair provided her by the Congressmen. As she testified, "see what a pound of rinds a day will do to you! I've been eating them for thirty years! Now it is too late." She broke down, sobbing, at this point.