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

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 In order to be a more effective writer, you must

understand these three terms. You will better understand these three terms. You will better understand their meanings which will make your understand their meanings which will make your writing more persuasive. writing more persuasive.

Three Forms of Rhetoric…Three Forms of Rhetoric…

Whenever you read or listen to an argument, you Whenever you read or listen to an argument, you must ask yourself,must ask yourself,  

““Is this persuasive? And if so, to whom?”Is this persuasive? And if so, to whom?”

  There are several ways to appeal to an There are several ways to appeal to an audience.   audience.   

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.

Apollo Anton Ohno

Ethos Example:Ethos Example:

Product: George Foreman and his Grilling Product: George Foreman and his Grilling MachineMachine

Repertoire: Boxing Champ and a PreacherRepertoire: Boxing Champ and a Preacher

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 the (induction and deduction); can also be the factsfacts and and statisticsstatistics used to help support the used to help support the argument. 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. Apple

Logos Example: Logos Example:

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

PathosPathos

This is an appeal to emotion.This is an appeal to emotion. Emotional appeals, are used to persuade. Emotional appeals, are used to persuade.

Language choice affects the audience's Language choice affects the audience's emotional response, and emotional appeal emotional response, and emotional appeal can effectively be used to enhance an can effectively be used to enhance an argument. argument.

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

Logos Example continued…Logos Example continued…

Few of our children Few of our children breath fresh air in their breath fresh air in their schools, which are 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 Example:Pathos Example:

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

Pathos Example continued…Pathos Example continued…

““America's older citizens have rightly been America's older citizens have rightly been called the "greatest generation." It is morally called the "greatest generation." It is morally unacceptable that the people that built this unacceptable that the people that built this country -- our senior citizens -- should suffer country -- our senior citizens -- should suffer hunger in a land of plenty, which they hunger in a land of plenty, which they helped to create.”helped to create.”

-from America’s Second Harvest program-from America’s Second Harvest program