Understanding Ethos, Pathos, and Logos

Understanding Ethos, Pathos, and Logos

Persuasive Writing

Introduction to Ethos, Pathos & Logos

• Greek philosopher Aristotle

• Influential thinker & wrote on many subjects

• One were the tools for persuasive language

Ethos

• Greek word meaning 'character'

• Convincing an audience of the reliable character or credibility of the speaker/writer

• Important tool because if the audience sees you (or your argument) as credible & trustworthy, it will be easier to persuade them

Multiple Choice

Ethos means what?

• Appeal to the emotions

• Reliable character or Credibility

• Appeal to logic and reason

Pathos

• Greek word meaning 'suffering' or experience'

• Used as an appeal to the emotions of the audience

• Way of creating a persuasive argument by evoking an emotional response in the audience/reader

• Appeal to hopes and dreams, playing on their fears or worries, or appealing to their particular beliefs or ideals.

Multiple Choice

Pathos means what?

• Appeal to the emotions

• Reliable character or Credibility

• Appeal to logic and reason

Logos

• Greek work meaning 'a word' or 'reason'

• It is an appeal to logic and reason

• Used to persuade an audience by logical though, fact and rationality

• Can be a useful tool because if you can 'prove' an argument though logical and sound reasoning, the audience is more likely to be persuaded.

Multiple Choice

Logos means what?

• Appeal to the emotions

• Reliable character or Credibility

• Appeal to logic and reason

Combining All Three

• Try and combine all three in your persuasive speaking and writing

• You will appeal to audience's emotions, sense of reasoning and belief in you

• Your writing will be more convincing

• Try to subtly weave ethos, pathos, and logos into your persuasive writing and speaking.

Let's see if you can figure out which one is which.

The next questions you will need to identify whether or not ETHOS (credibility) is used & prepare to explain your reasoning.

Multiple Choice

"You should definitely get help with your debt, and I say that as somebody with over 30 years experience do debt counseling."

• Ethos is used

• Ethos is NOT used

Multiple Choice

"We really should try that recipe. Someone told me that it was good."

• Ethos is used

• Ethos is NOT used

Multiple Choice

"The research - conducted by professors ad Harvard University - suggests that you should learn a second language."

• Ethos is used

• Ethos is NOT used

Multiple Choice

"I read somewhere that bicarbonate of soda is really useful for cleaning. You should try it."

• Ethos is used

• Ethos is NOT used

Let's see if you can figure out which one is which.

The next questions you will need to explain how PATHOS (emotions) are used & prepare to explain your reasoning.

Open Ended

Explain how PATHOS is used in the following statement. "If you don't purchase this life insurance, and something happens to you, how will your family survive?

Open Ended

Explain how PATHOS is used in the following statement. "We live in a great democracy. So donate now and support the troops who are protecting our freedom."

Open Ended

Explain how PATHOS is used in the following statement. "Caring for the environment may not change your life, but it will change the lives of your children."

Let's see if you can figure out which one is which.

The next questions you will need to identify if you think LOGOS is being used effectively or not. Be prepared to explain your reasoning

Multiple Choice

Is Logos is being used effectively in the following statement? "Everyone has children. Therefore, everyone needs to think about the schooling of his or her children."

• Yes, Logos is being used effectively.

• No, Logos is NOT being used effectively.

Multiple Choice

Is Logos is being used effectively in the following statement? "Cigarette smoke contains over 4,800 chemicals, 69 of which are known to cause cancer. So why start smoking?"

• Yes, Logos is being used effectively.

• No, Logos is NOT being used effectively.

Multiple Choice

Is Logos is being used effectively in the following statement? "Every morning the rooster crows, then the sun rises. Therefore the rooster causes the sun to rise."

• Yes, Logos is being used effectively.

• No, Logos is NOT being used effectively.