Just Mercy Credibility Lesson

Building Credibility

By Sarah Hazen

Objective:

I can identify how Bryan Stevenson uses ethos, pathos, logos, and credible evidence in Just Mercy to build trust with the reader.

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On Tuesday morning, rumor had it that someone clogged every toilet in the boys restroom in B-Building on purpose by flushing an entire roll of paper towels. Teachers were upset, classes got interrupted, and the bathroom was closed after 3rd hour. Kids had to go to other buildings to use the restrooms that were open. They were locking several buildings restrooms.

By 4th hour, a kid named Kylie posted on Snapchat:

“Saw Tony laughing in the bathroom right before it flooded 💀💀 #suspicious”

Meanwhile, Ava told her entire table at lunch:

“My cousin's friend said Tony bragged about it on Xbox chat last night.”

Later that day, Principal Buckendorff made an announcement:

“We are reviewing camera footage near the B-building bathrooms. Please remember that spreading false rumors is a serious offense.”

That afternoon, Jesse, the janitor, told Ms. Allen in the office:

“It looked like an accident to me. Someone probably just panicked and flushed too much.”

Multiple Choice

🔍 Credibility Quiz – Who Can You Trust?

Which of these is the most credible source?

• Ava’s cousin’s friend who heard something on Xbox

• Principal Buckendorff's official announcement

• Kylie’s Snap post

• A group chat screenshot with crying emojis

Multiple Choice

Which detail makes Kylie’s Snap post less credible?

• She saw Tony “laughing” but gave no proof

• No time stamp or actual video

• The hashtag adds drama, not facts

• All of the above

Multiple Choice

What makes Jesse a more reliable source?

• He’s a school employee

• He was near the incident

• He made a calm, reasonable observation

• All of the above

Multiple Choice

What could make Kylie’s Snap more credible?

• A time-stamped video showing Tony actually causing the clog

• A meme posted with it

• 15 people sharing it

• Tony posting “IYKYK”

Multiple Choice

True or False: A rumor repeated by lots of students becomes credible over time.

• True

• False

Can You Trust Bryan Stevenson?

A credible author is someone you can trust—someone who:

• Knows what they’re talking about (🎓 expertise)

• Tells the truth and backs it up (📊 evidence)

• Helps you understand with emotion and clarity (💬 connection)

When you read nonfiction—especially a book like Just Mercy—you’re not just reading a story…
You’re deciding whether or not to believe what the author is telling you.

That’s why credibility matters.

Multiple Choice

Warm-Up:

Who would you trust to tell you the truth about the justice system?

• TikTok influencer

• Lawyer for death row inmates

What is Credibility?

Credibility = Trustworthiness
Authors earn credibility with:

• Ethos – Who they are

• Pathos – What we feel

• Logos – Facts & logic

• Evidence – Specific, reliable examples

How Stevenson builds ethos through:

• Harvard education

• Real-life legal experience

• Background growing up poor in the South

📘 “I had grown up poor in a racially segregated community…”

Discuss: Why does this build trust?

​Ethos: Trust Me, I’ve Been There

How Stevenson uses emotional stories:
📘 “Walter had been completely shattered by what had happened.”
📘 “The screams from the cell next door…”

Discuss: What do these make you feel? Why include them?

​Pathos: Pulling at the Heart

Credibility through facts and stats:

📘 “One in every three Black male babies born in this century is expected to be incarcerated.”

Discuss: Why do facts make his argument stronger?

​Logos: Using Logic and Data

Finding Credible Evidence in the Text

What makes evidence credible?

• It is specific, detailed, and reliable

• Comes from direct experience, facts, or trusted sources
  📘 Example from Chapter 1: “He didn’t have a criminal record and had no motive…”
  📘 Example from Chapter 2: Stevenson being frisked and yelled at in jail, despite being a lawyer

Open Ended

Which types of evidence do you trust the most: a stat, a personal story, or a quote from an expert? Why?

Multiple Choice

Practice: Credible or Not?

Which quote is more credible?

• One strong and specific

• One vague and weak

Multiple Choice

Which quote from Just Mercy is most credible evidence that Walter was wrongly accused?

• “Walter said he didn’t do it.”

• “Walter had no criminal record and a dozen people said he was at a church event.”

• “Stevenson was upset about the case.”

• “The case felt unfair.”

Multiple Choice

Why is Stevenson’s story about being yelled at in jail credible evidence of bias in the justice system?

• It’s a made-up example to prove a point.

• It’s funny.

• It’s hard to understand.

• It’s based on his real experience as a lawyer.

Multiple Choice

What makes a piece of evidence credible?

• It’s included to make the story longer.

• It is vague and emotional.

• It is specific, reliable, and comes from firsthand experience or data.

• It is what the reader wants to hear.