Rhetorical Devices:Ethos, Pathos, Logos
Three Forms of Rhetoric…
Ethos Logos Pathos
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.
Ethos Example:
Product: George Foreman and his Grilling Machine
Repertoire: Boxing Champ and a Preacher
Why is George Foreman credible?
Logos (Logical)
Logos: the logic used to support a claim. 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.
Logos Example:
Idea: Students should be allowed to use cell phones during school hours.
List three supporting facts and/or statistics that will support this idea.
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
Pathos Example:
How does this advertisement appeal to emotion? Why?
How do I use the appeals in writing?
Make sure you add a little of each: Emotion Credibility/Authority Logic
A full argument exists when you use all three of these
Logos Advertisement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3CrVosu5pc&list=PL7BE4CC4D9BDCC799
Ethos Advertisement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sfy8UYRhmpA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9gLqh8tmPA
Pathos Advertisement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO6ztkW4ulw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yu9sWjnJFHU
Pathos, Logos, Ethos skits
Each group will get an “appeal” (pathos, logos, or ethos).
Pretend your group is trying to persuade an audience to purchase something. This could be a pair of shoes, a new car, anything your group agrees on.
Use your assigned appeal to persuade the class as to why they should purchase your product.
