Elements of an Argument

Rhetorical Triangle

path

osau

dien

cespeakerethos

messagelogos

The Appeals

• pathos – emotional appeal; stirs strong feelings within the audience

• logos – logical appeal; constructs a message of a well-reasoned argument

• ethos – ethical appeal; establishes credibility and authority of speaker

How do I identify pathos?

• Connotative diction

• Diction

• Imagery

• Figurative language (metaphor, personification, hyperbole, etc. )

• Carefully-crafted syntax (sentence structure)

• Personal anecdotes (experiences or stories)

How do I identify logos?

• Facts

• Statistics

• Research

• Referring to experts

• Cause & effect

How do I identify ethos?

• Stating qualifications for expertise

• Using first person plural pronouns (“we”)

• Citing relevant authorities

• Citing relevant allusions

Think About it

We are writing an argumentative essay for science class. We are analyzing the facts and information to choose a side, then defending our stance on the topic. Pathos and Ethos are important parts of a writing piece, but the facts and evidence are the most important part of a scientific argument.

More parts to the construction of an

argument…

• Claim – debatable controversial statement the speaker or writer intends to prove with evidence

• Qualifier – puts limits on a claim (usually, sometimes, in most cases, etc.)

• Commentary (Supporting Sentence) – connecting the evidence to the claim (How does evidence support claim?)

• Evidence – support for writer’s claim (examples, anecdotes, facts, statistics, research, etc.)

• Counter claim – respectful acknowledgement of opposing viewpoint

• Hook – the beginning of an argumentative essay meant to capture the reader’s attention (quote, profound statement, imagery, etc.)

• Thesis – a sentence that expresses the writer’s position on a certain topic

• Transitions – words or phrases used to transition through the essay (therefore, finally, etc…)

• Sources – used to support your claims (cited in the text and in the resources)

Constructing an Argument

1. Introductiona. Hookb. Claimc. Thesis (topic sentence)

2. Body Paragraph 1a. Topic Sentenceb. Evidencec. Commentary- Supporting Sentence

3. Body Paragraph 2a. Topic Sentenceb. Evidencec. Commentary- Supporting Sentence

4. Body Paragraph 3a. Topic Sentenceb. Evidencec. Commentary- Supporting Sentence

5. Conclusiona. Counter claim – (slight CONCESSION)b. Restate the thesis statement (topic sentence)

What part of an argumentative essay is used to catch the

audiences attention?

1. Thesis Statement

2. Hook

3. Commentary

4. Supporting Details

Where should the counter claim be located in your essay?

1. 1 or two sentences included in a body paragraph

2. As a stand alone body paragraph

3. 1 or 2 sentences included in the conclusion

4. All of the above

What part of an argumentative essay let the audience know

what side you support?

1. Transitions

2. Hook

3. Claim

4. Supporting Details

What are the three aspects of a rhetorical triangle?

1. Ethos, Logos, Pathos

2. Ethos, Logos, Potato

3. Ethics, Logical, Patience

4. None of the above

All three parts of the rhetorical triangle are important, but which

part is most important and applies most to the argument

piece.1. Ethos

2. Logos

3. Pathos

4. None of the above

Introductory Paragraph

School Uniforms – Should public schools require school uniforms?

Include the following:

Hook

Claim

Thesis statement w/ 3 reason