ethos pathos logos

Speaker

The person who gives the speech.

Occasion

Reason the speech is given (e.g. toast at a wedding, presidential speech). 

Audience

The people intended to read/hear the speech. 

Purpose

The goal of the speech. Why the speech was written (e.g. to persuade the school board for a later start for teens).

Subject

Main idea of the speech (e.g. rebellion, natural disaster, love, money, etc.)

Tone

The attitude of the speaker (e.g. use of positively, negatively charged words to influence the audience)

Ethos

Appeals to the audience’s credibility. 

Creator of the message is someone who has knowledge, is fair and is believable.

You can TRUST the person.

Pathos

Appeals to the audience’s emotions. 

Logos

Appealing to the audience using facts, logic and reasoning.

Rhetorical Question

A question asked for effect, not requiring an answer.

Ex: How many times do I have to ask you to _______? 

       Why bother mowing the grass? 

Bandwagon

 to convince people to do something or believe something because it is currently fashionable or popular (“Everyone does __________”)

Loaded Language/

Emotive Language/

Connotation

is words or images that appeal to the audience’s emotions: fear, anger, sympathy, etc.

Anecdote

a short, personal story about a real event or experience. Anecdotes often provide insight into how an issue has affected someone’s life (Humorous, Reminiscent, Philosophical, or Cautionary).

Generalization

making sweeping statements about a whole group, based on actions or beliefs of a few members. 

Propaganda/

Bias

telling the facts for one side as if there were no opposing view or other opinion; only explaining positives, not the negatives.

Restatement

repeating an idea in a variety of ways

e.g. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” Speech

Claim

The writer’s opinion or belief on an issue. Writers argue their position using facts, reasons, and evidence. 

Ex: Many schools have switched to a year-round school calendar, and this should become a requirement for all schools in the United States. Year-round school allows for students to cover more material in a school year and also allows for teachers to offer more assistance to those students who need it.

Counterclaim

Consider the opposite side. An argument that opposes or disagrees with the claim. 

Ex: Year-round school should not be implemented as it can have a detrimental impact on students’ mental health. Studies have shown that taking a break from studies over the summer positively impacts students’ mood and motivation.

Parallelism

Repetition of grammar structure 

Ex: “With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.” Martin Luther King Jr. 

Anaphora

A word or group of words is repeated at the beginning of a sentence/clause.

Ex: “We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air…” Winston Churchill

Organizational Strategies

Methods to organize ideas for effect and persuasion. 

Ex: 

• compare/contrast

• narrative writing

• problem/solution

• cause/effect

• descriptive 

• list making

Rhetorical Appeals:

Determine what appeal, ethos , pathos, or logos, is being used in the excerpt. Write either ethos, pathos, or logos on the line.