A Lesson on A Lesson on Rhetorical Devices:Rhetorical Devices:Ethos, Pathos, LogosEthos, Pathos, Logos

1010thth Literature/Composition Literature/Composition

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What is Rhetoric?What is Rhetoric?

Rhetoric (n) -Rhetoric (n) - the art of speaking or writing the art of speaking or writing effectively (Webster's Definition). effectively (Webster's Definition). According to Aristotle, rhetoric is "the ability, in According to Aristotle, rhetoric is "the ability, in

each particular case, to see the available each particular case, to see the available means of persuasion." He described three main means of persuasion." He described three main forms of rhetoric: forms of rhetoric: Ethos, Logos, and PathosEthos, Logos, and Pathos..

In order to be a more effective writer, you must understand these three terms. 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 You will better understand their meanings which will make your writing more persuasive. persuasive.

Three Forms of Rhetoric…Three Forms of Rhetoric…

EthosEthos LogosLogos PathosPathos

Ethos (Credibility)Ethos (Credibility)

Ethos:Ethos: the source's credibility, the the source's credibility, the speaker's/author's authority speaker's/author's authority

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

Ethos Example:Ethos Example:

Product: George Foreman and his Product: George Foreman and his Grilling MachineGrilling Machine

Repertoire: Boxing Champ and a Repertoire: Boxing Champ and a PreacherPreacher

Why is George Foreman credible?Why is George Foreman credible?

Logos (Logical)Logos (Logical)

Logos:Logos: the logic used to support a claim the logic used to support a claim (induction and deduction); can also be (induction and deduction); can also be the the factsfacts and and statisticsstatistics used to help used to help support the argument. support the argument.

Persuading by the use of reasoning.Persuading by the use of reasoning. An effective and persuasive reason that An effective and persuasive reason that

supports your ideas. supports your ideas.

Logos Example: Logos Example:

Idea: Students should be allowed to use Idea: Students should be allowed to use cell phones during school hours.cell phones during school hours.

List three supporting facts and/or statistics that List three supporting facts and/or statistics that will support the aforementioned idea.will support the aforementioned idea.

Logos Example Logos Example continued…continued…Few of our children Few of our children

breathe fresh air in breathe fresh air in their schools, which are their schools, which are being sprayed, inside being sprayed, inside and out, with millions of and out, with millions of pounds of deadly, pounds of deadly, nervous system nervous system destroying pesticides. destroying pesticides.

What are the details What are the details provided in this claim?provided in this claim?

Pathos (Emotional)Pathos (Emotional)

Pathos: Pathos: persuading by appealing to the persuading by appealing to the reader's emotions. Emotional appeals, are reader's emotions. Emotional appeals, are used to persuade. Language choice affects used to persuade. Language choice affects the audience's emotional response, and the audience's emotional response, and emotional appeal can effectively be used to emotional appeal can effectively be used to enhance an argument. enhance an argument.

How? Anecdotal writing or narratives within How? Anecdotal writing or narratives within persuasive writingpersuasive writing

Pathos Example:Pathos Example:

How does this How does this advertisement appeal advertisement appeal to emotion? Why?to emotion? Why?

How do I use the appeals in How do I use the appeals in writing?writing?

Make sure you add a little of each: Make sure you add a little of each: EmotionEmotion Credibility/AuthorityCredibility/Authority LogicLogic

A full argument exists when you use all three of A full argument exists when you use all three of thesethese

Pathos, Logos, Ethos Pathos, Logos, Ethos skitsskits

Get in 3 small groupsGet in 3 small groups Each group will get an “appeal” (pathos, Each group will get an “appeal” (pathos,

logos, or ethos)logos, or ethos) Pretend your group is trying to persuade Pretend your group is trying to persuade

an audience to purchase a new pair of an audience to purchase a new pair of shoesshoes

Use your assigned appeal to persuade Use your assigned appeal to persuade the audience (the classroom) as to why the audience (the classroom) as to why they should purchase the shoesthey should purchase the shoes