A Lesson on Rhetorical Devices: Ethos, Pathos, Logos

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A Lesson on Rhetorical DevicesEthos, Pathos,
Logos

• Marsh9thEnglish.wordpress.com

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What is Rhetoric?

• Rhetoric (n) - the art of speaking or writing
  effectively (Webster's Definition).
• According to Aristotle, rhetoric is "the ability,
  in each particular case, to see the available
  means of persuasion." He described three main
  forms of rhetoric Ethos, Logos, and Pathos.
• In order to be a more effective writer, you must
  understand these three terms. You will better
  understand their meanings which will make your
  writing more persuasive.

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Three Forms of Rhetoric

• Ethos
• Logos
• Pathos

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Ethos (Credibility)

• Ethos the source's credibility, the
  speaker's/author's authority
• We tend to believe people whom we respect. One of
  the central problems of argumentation is to
  project an impression to the reader that you are
  someone worth listening to, in other words making
  yourself as author into an authority on the
  subject of the paper, as well as someone who is
  likable and worthy of respect.

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Ethos Example

• Product George Foreman and his Grilling Machine
• Repertoire Boxing Champ and a Preacher
• Why is George Foreman credible?

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Logos (Logical)

• Logos the logic used to support a claim
  (induction and deduction) can also be the facts
  and statistics used to help support the argument.
  
• Persuading by the use of reasoning.
• An effective and persuasive reason that supports
  your ideas.

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Logos Example

• Idea Students should be allowed to use cell
  phones during school hours.
• List three supporting facts and/or statistics
  that will support the aforementioned idea.

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Logos Example continued

• Few of our children breath fresh air in their
  schools, which are being sprayed, inside and out,
  with millions of pounds of deadly, nervous system
  destroying pesticides.
• What are the details provided in this claim?

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Pathos

• Pathos the emotional or motivational appeals
  vivid language, emotional language and numerous
  sensory details

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Pathos (Emotional)

• Pathos persuading by appealing to the reader's
  emotions. Emotional appeals, are used to
  persuade. Language choice affects the audience's
  emotional response, and emotional appeal can
  effectively be used to enhance an argument.
• How? Anecdotal writing or narratives within
  persuasive writing

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Pathos Example

• How does this advertisement appeal to emotion?
  Why?

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Pathos Example in literature

• In Romeo and Juliet there are actions that lead
  to an irreversible catastrophe. Romeo himself
  contributes to many of the catastrophes, adding
  tragedy to the play. The suffering of Romeo is
  profound as a result of these catastrophes,
  enhancing the drama and despair. Romeo triggers
  feelings of pathos towards himself, as the reader
  feels pity for him. All of these characteristics
  represent why Romeo is looked upon as a tragic
  hero.

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The Art of Persuasion

• The best persuasion is where all three elements
  are combined into a cohesive whole. When a
  trusted source provides anecdotal evidence and
  statistics we see ethos (the trusted source),
  pathos (the anecdote), and logos (the statistics)
  working in harmony to create a broad appeal.