Ethos, Pathos, Logos

What is Rhetoric?

• Ability in any particular case to see the available means of persuasion

What is an Argument?

• A viewpoint that is backed up with reason and evidence
• Technique an author uses to make an argument
• Ethos, pathos, logos are used when constructing an argument

Ethos

• Authority, character, or credibility
• Based of the author- their position, credentials, and how they present themselves
• Do they have credibility? Did they use credible sources/ appropriate evidence? What is their tone? Did they use logic to develop their argument? Did they address any counteragruemnts?

Logos

• Logical appeal of the argument
• Facts and evidence
• Are the claims reasonable? Does the evidence support it well? Does the speaker make logical conclusions?

Pathos

• Emotional appeal- anger, guilt, sadness, compassion, etc.
• An argument that caters to an audience’s beliefs
• Emotional examples, personal stories, emotional tone

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