Ethos. Pathos. Logos 2

Ethos. Pathos. Logos 2

Writing

Multiple Choice

Which statement primarily appeals to logos, or reason, to support the position that people should support locally owned businesses?

• Although corporate chain stores may offer customers wider selections and bigger discounts, locally owned businesses are more likely to offer personalized services and support their local communities.

• After many years of running a small hardware store I understand the difficulties small business owners face when comparing with big-box retail chains.

Multiple Choice

Which statement primarily appeals to pathos, or emotion, to support the position that American presidential election campaigns go on for too long?

• The longer U.S. presidential campaigns last—more than two years these days—the more money candidates spend, allowing only the very wealthiest candidates to participate; consequently, the White House is open only to the financially elite.

• The two-year presidential campaign has led to a general sense of fatigue among voters; people don’t want to be continually bombarded with advertisements and brochures, let alone forced to focus on every minute detail of the candidates’ lives.

Multiple Choice

Which statement primarily appeals to ethos, or character, to support the position that difficult experiences often end up making a person stronger?

• My opinion is consistent with that of the great Helen Keller, who believed that overcoming life’s challenges was the path to making us stronger as individuals.

• Although difficult experiences can admittedly be the source of much stress and anxiety, these experiences also prevent people with opportunities to learn and improve themselves.

Multiple Choice

Which statement primarily appeals to pathos, or emotion, to support the position that schools should eliminate long summer vacations in favor of a year-round calendar?

• Long summer summer breaks are famously associated with relaxation so extreme that it verges on sloth, as students sleep until noon and spend hours lounging with friends.

• Despite the opposition from students that a year-long schedule would surely cause, eliminating long summer vacations would provide a number of important benefits, including improved student learning outcomes.

Multiple Choice

Which statement primarily appeals to logos, or reason, to support the position that high schools should start later in the morning?

• An early start time can have a significant negative effect on teens’ health, studies have shown, making students more likely to perform poorly academically.

• Some of my first-period students appear to be exhausted in the mornings, which I know, in my experience as a high school teacher, impairs their ability to learn.

Multiple Choice

Which statement primarily appeals to pathos, or emotion, to support the position that young people benefit from developing friendships with senior citizens?

• If we don’t want today’s youth to become spoiled, unruly, and disrespectful, then we would do well to encourage them to look to older generations for advice and guidance.

• As we age, we gain knowledge, wisdom, and insight, all of which are highly valued in our society; thus, young people would benefit from mentorship or friendship of our older citizens.

• Each year, about a dozen members of the high school Key Club, which I manage, have fun hosting a game night at the community senior center. A number of students have even developed long-lasting friendships with some of the seniors.

Multiple Choice

Which statement primarily appeals to logos, or reason, to support the position that economic competition is necessary for a productive society?

• As the influential economist Adam Smith asserted, healthy economic competition and free markets help foster a productive, more efficient society.

• When competition is high, business can flourish, leading to ever-better products at ever-lower prices.

• Do to the nature of competition—in which all parties involved are driven to do their best—it makes sense that maintaining a healthy level of economic competition will drive businesses to consistently produce and innovate.

Multiple Choice

Which statement primarily appeals to pathos, or emotion, to support the position that people are too loyal to established traditions?

• Each year, people go to the hospital for injuries related to Independence Day fireworks, yet we continue to indulge in these dangerous activities because we can’t let go of our “traditions,”

• I believe, as do many of my colleagues, that this company’s executive bard is too complacent and needs an influx of new ideas to help stimulate business.

• Regardless of their centuries-old history, come established traditions—such s the running f the bulls through the streets of Pamplona, Spain, which has caused numerous injuries over the years—are dangerous

Multiple Choice

Which statement primarily appeals to logos, or reason, to support the position that students should have more physical activity throughout the school day?

• We elementary school teachers know all too well how important recess is for young students who need to “shake the sillies out.”

• Some proponents of kinesthetic learning, which combines physical movement with education, say that students have shown improvements in both academic performance and confidence using this methods.

• Students have the benefit of youth and boundless energy, but they may become frustrated and disheartened by their inability to focus. The remedy is physical activity.