Ethos, Pathos, and Logos

What Are They? Ethos, Pathos and Logos are modes of persuasion used to convince audiences. They are also referred to as the three artistic proofs (Aristotle coined the terms) and are all represented by Greek words. They explain how rhetoric functions.

Ethos (Credibility) Means convincing by the character of the author or speaker.

Pathos (Emotional) Means persuading by appealing to the reader's emotions

Logos (Logical) Means persuading by the use of reasoning.

Examples From Literature: Harriet Jacobs Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl Ethos: “Reader, be assured this narrative is no fiction. I am aware that some of my adventures may seem incredible; but they are, nevertheless, strictly true. I have not exaggerated the wrongs inflicted by Slavery; on the contrary, my descriptions fall far short of the facts.”

Examples From Literature Continued Pathos: “On one of these sale days, I saw a mother lead seven children to the auction-block. She knew that some of them would be taken from her; but they took all. I met that mother in the street, and her wild, haggard face lives to-day in my mind. She wrung her hands in anguish, and exclaimed, "Gone! All gone! Why don't God kill me?" I had no words wherewith to comfort her. Instances of this kind are of daily, yea, of hourly occurrence.”

Examples From Literature Continued Logos: “Northerners know nothing at all about Slavery. They think it is perpetual bondage only. They have no conception of the depth of degradation involved in that word, SLAVERY; if they had, they would never cease their efforts until so horrible a system was overthrown.” -Woman Of North Carolina.

Example From Television

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