A Lesson on Rhetorical Devices:

Ethos, Pathos, Logos

How do argument and

persuasion play a role in your

academic life? In your personal

life?

What is Rhetoric?

Rhetoric (n) - the art of persuasive speech

and writing

– According to Aristotle, rhetoric is "the ability, in

each particular case, to see the available

means of persuasion." He described three main

forms of rhetoric: Ethos, Logos, and Pathos.

In order to be a more effective writer, you must understand these three terms.

You will better understand their meanings which will make your writing more

persuasive.

Three Forms of Rhetoric…

Ethos

Logos

Pathos

Ethos (Credibility)

Ethos: the source's credibility, the

speaker's/author's authority

We tend to believe people whom we respect. One of

the central problems of argumentation is to project an

impression to the reader that you are someone worth

listening to, in other words making yourself as author

into an authority on the subject of the paper, as well

as someone who is likable and worthy of respect.

Ethos Example:

Product: George Foreman and his Grilling

Machine

Repertoire: Boxing Champ and a Preacher

Why is George Foreman credible?

Logos (Logical)

Logos: the logic used to support a claim

(induction and deduction); can also be the

facts and statistics used to help support the

argument.

– Persuading by the use of reasoning.

– An effective and persuasive reason that

supports your ideas.

Logos Example:

Idea: Students should be allowed to use cell

phones during school hours.

– If….then

– Statistics, data

– Universal truths

List three supporting facts and/or statistics that

will support the aforementioned idea.

Logos Example continued…

Few of our children breath fresh air in their schools, which are being sprayed, inside and out, with millions of pounds of deadly, nervous system destroying pesticides.

What are the details provided in this claim?

Pathos (Emotional)

Pathos: persuading by appealing to the

reader's emotions. Emotional appeals, are

used to persuade. Language choice affects

the audience's emotional response, and

emotional appeal can effectively be used to

enhance an argument.

Fear, anger, pity are influential emotions

Pathos Example:

How does this

advertisement appeal

to emotion? Why?

CRASH (2004 Paul Haggis

Identify rhetorical

strategies in each

clip (note: the

characters are

using rhetoric to

persuade each

other, and the film is

using it to persuade

the viewer)

Questions

a. Rhetorical question: thoughtful questions

that aren’t meant to be answered.

i. Can we really expect the school to keep

paying from its limited resources?

b. Hypophora: asking a question and

answering it.

i. But what was the result of this move on

the steel industry? The annual reports for that

year clearly indicate. . . .

Description and Imagery

a. Imagine being cast out into the

cold street, lonely and frightened.

Parallel structures

a. To show kindness is praiseworthy;

to show hatred is evil.

The ‘rule of three’

a. I ask you, is this fair, is it right, is it just?

Anaphora: the intentional repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning

of a line for emphasis.

a. Will he read the book? Will he learn what it has to teach him?

Will he live according to what he has learned?

b. Not time, not money, not laws, but willing diligence will get this

done.

Hyperbole (using exaggeration for effect)

a. While we await your decision, the whole school holds its

breath.

Anecdote

a. An anecdote is a short and interesting story taken from

your past experience - or that of someone you know or have

heard about. Audiences love anecdotes.

Euphemisms and connotation

a. overweight vs. fat

b. issue vs. problem

Downplaying and understating

a. Using key words to make important things seem

unimportant

i. Mere, merely, so-called, however, although, despite

Expressing things in such a way as to understate it’s

importance

i. The earthquake interrupted business somewhat in the

downtown area.

Distinctio

a. The intentional reference or definition of a word in

order to remove confusion, misunderstanding or

ambiguity

i. By “impossible” I mean currently beyond our

technological capabilities

Apophasis

a. The raising of an issue by claiming not to mention

it

i. We won’t even talk about his criminal record…

PATHOS?

LOGOS?

Which rhetorical strategy is most persuasive?

https://youtu.be/JYzCiftp1vI