Ethos, Pathos, Logos

Which statement primarily appeals to logos, or reason, to support the position that the winter holiday has become too commercialized?

• Though it is understandable why some people find Black Friday appealing, this recent shopping trend in which stores stay open all night and offer huge discounts, has added considerably to the materialism of the holiday season.

• The crowded, chaotic shopping mall - filled with intense, headache-inducing lights and music - is a prime example of how holidays have become far too focused on material goods.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

Which statement primarily appeals to logos, or reason, to support the position that the American Dream is no longer attainable to most people?

• With income inequality at its highest point since the Great Depression, achieving the classic American Dream has become increasingly implausible for those with little means.

• For many people, life is an ongoing struggle simply to survive and pay the bills; for these people, to contend that the American Dream is still possible is a slap in the face.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

Which statement primarily appeals to logos, or reason, to support the position that CEO compensation should be taxed more heavily?

• Having grown up in a low-income community, I know firsthand how much could be accomplished if the wealth of CEOs could be taxed and redistributed to the community at large.

• Executive compensation has risen more than nine hundred percent over the past thirty-seven years, according to the Economic Policy Institute.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

Which statement appeals to ethos, or character, to support the position that an overemphasis on community fosters dependence and reduces individual freedom?

• As philosopher and economist John Stuart Mill argued with regard to individualism, having individual freedom is integral to developing an efficient society.

• While some may believe that having the support of a strong community is important for individual growth, I maintain that too much support can be harmful and may hinder an individual's decision-making ability.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

Which statement primarily appeals to pathos, or emotion, to support the position that breakfast is the most important meal of the day?

• Because the brain requires a certain amount of glucose in order to function optimally, it is important to eat a healthy breakfast at the start of your day.

• Students who routinely skip breakfast suffer academically; they have great difficulty concentrating in class and consequently perform poorly in school.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

Which statement primarily appeals to logos, or reason, to support the position that parents should not let young children play with smartphones and tablets?

• It is the policy of this daycare center, as it is with most others, that children and babies are not allowed to use smartphones while they are under our care

• There is simply not enough research to support the claim that exposure to smartphones and tablets among children is safe; thus, we should avoid it until their safety is established.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

Which statement primarily appeals to logos, or reason, to support the position that professional athletes should not be allowed to use performance-enhancing drugs?

• As a sports physical therapist, I work with many athletes who have experienced adverse physical effects from performance-enhancing drugs.

• Performance-enhancing drugs have been shown to be unhealthy for those who take them, causing harmful side effects such as heightened aggression, heart palpitations, and hypertension.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

Which statement primarily appeals to logos, or reason, to support the position that plastic water bottles should be banned?

• People need only consider the pain and suffering of animals who die every day from eating or becoming trapped by plastic waste to understand why plastic bottles should be banned.

• Given that bottled water sales are already on the decline, an outright ban of plastic water bottles might not be as drastic an idea as some may think.

• As a lifelong environmentalist, I aim to make ecologically responsible choices whenever possible. That is why I avoid disposable water battles.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

Which statement primarily appeals to logos, or reason, to support the the position that wearable fitness trackers can improve people's health?

• Imagine seeing your step count at the end of each day, feeling triumphant when you hit a lofty goal and determined to work harder when you fall short.

• As so much about our bodies is unknown to us throughout the day - such as heart rate and blood sugar levels - it follows that increasing awareness of these factors will give us helpful insights into how to improve our health.

• I have been wearing a pedometer for several months, and knowing how far I am walking each day has brought about an increase in my cardiovascular fitness.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

Which statement primarily appeals to ethos, or character, to support the position that the best thing most people could do to improve their health is to get more sleep?

• It is a well-known fact that those who lack sufficient sleep tend to have weakened immune systems and are more likely to become ill.

• It is no surprise to me that we're chronically tired: a busy lifestyle makes it hard to get a good night's sleep, and taking a much needed nap is nearly impossible.

• Although I love my job as a nurse, my health has suffered because of it; I am often required to work night shifts, which disrupts my sleep schedule.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

CCSS.RI.11-12.5