Rhetorical Devices: Ethos,
Logos, Pathos
1-17/18
What’s Rhetoric?
• Rhetoric – something expressed in terms to
persuade somebody or argue a point
• Rhetorical Devices– tactics used to aid in the
argument or persuasion of an audience
(ethos, logos, and pathos)
First, let’s watch a short video….
• http://youtu.be/x4tTugqBkJU
Ethos: Ethical Appeal
Using ‘Ethos’, or ‘ethical appeal’
is an attempt to get a ‘stamp of
approval’, ‘thumbs up’, or ‘like’
from your audience in terms or
morale or principles.
Ethos is based on….
•Character
•Credibility
•Reliability
Ethos: Definition
ethos - the character of a speaker or
writer that is expressed in an attempt
to persuade an audience; often
developed using moral character,
credibility, and reliability.
Ethos is developed through….
– Using credible sources
- Using quotations specifically focused on
the moral of the topic being discussed
- Using appropriate and neutral language
to discuss the argument/topic
- Editing and properly formatting your paper
For Example…
Which means he has great…
I wouldn’t
I want
to
want
write
towell
about
usesupported
just
theanyone’s
Zombie
information…
Apocalypse….
He’s written
many
popular
and
books
on the subject…
ISay
want
the
most
reliable
and
credible
resource
possible…
So quoting him as a reference
•Character
gives me great Ethos!
So of course! I would quote the all knowing Max Brooks…
•Credibility
•Reliability
An author loses Ethos by:
• Using unreliable sources (e.g. Wikipedia)
• Having poorly organized paragraphs
• Including spelling and grammar errors in the final draft
• Using disrespectful, rude, or offensive language and tone
• Improperly Citing Sources
• Omitting (leaving out) sources all together
So basically….
• Ethos involves both the credibility
of your sources AND your writing!
Logos:
Appeal
For Logical
Example….
IIfwould
to use scientific
evidence
and
studies
I wereneed
researching
health issues
in the
U.S…
Logos is best associated
theaudience
English word ‘logic’.
to appeal with
to my
It is ultimately, the appeal to the brain or logic, of the
audience.
Logos: Definition
Definition:
logos –a rhetorical device used in
debate/argument that uses evidence,
statistics, and facts to build a logical
argument to appeal to audiences
To use ‘logos’ one must:
• Cite facts and statistics
• Utilize historical and literary analogies, i.e. compare
history with the topic at hand
• Using advanced vocabulary and academic
terminology
• List Resources
• Construct the argument in a logical fashion
ForEmotional
Example…Appeal
Pathos:
It is a more
‘Pathos’
‘animal
like’is much more comparable to
rock n’ roll…
quality that
appeals to the
heart and
emotions of
an audience
Pathos: Definition
pathos - a rhetorical device
used in an argument or debate
to appeal to an audience
through their needs, emotions,
and values; often to evoke
sympathy and sadness
*Trying to make the reader feel what the author feels*
Using Pathos, includes:
• Inspiring anger, sadness, sympathy, or pity
from the audience
• Providing emotionally stirring examples
or stories that support the author’s claim
• Using sad or negative toned language
• Often involves interviews or stories of
individual cases for the argument
In the end…