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

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

3. Here’s a hint…

4. Here’s another hint…

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

6. You are probably thinking…

8. OR

9. OR

10. OR

11. OR

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

13. 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

14. The
Art of
Persuasion
Rhetoric

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

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

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

18. Rhetoric
The
Art of
Persuasion

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

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

21. In this case, your audience is
your parents.

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

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

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

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

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

27. Let’s look at a few examples.

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

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

30. 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.

31. Pathos
Everybody else has one.

32. As you analyze your arguments ask yourself some questions.

33. Which type or mode of argument is the most effective?

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

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

36. 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.

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