Rhetorical Devices

Ethos/Pathos/Logos

What is Ethos?

The ongoing establishment of a writer’s or speaker’s authority, credibility, and believability. Ethos appeals to ethics and character.

- Appeal to credentials
- Use of credible sources

What is Pathos?

The use of emotion and affect to persuade. Pathos appeals to the heart and to one’s emotions. Pathos seeks to persuade the reader emotionally.

Examples:
- Appeal to the heart/emotion
- Stores or testimonials
- Personal anecdotes or stories / connections

What is Logos?

The use of logic, rationality, and critical reasoning to persuade. Logos apeals to the mind. Logos seeks to persuade the reader intellectually.

Examples:
- Statistics and facts
- Cause and effect (if, then)
- Draw from philosophy and logic

HOLDER

HOLDER