Aristotle’s Three Types of
Persuasive Rhetoric
Logos
Ethos
Pathos
What is Rhetoric?
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What is said (message)
Who is saying it (speaker)
Who is listening (audience)
Where / when it is being said (context,
appeals)
Why it is being said (purpose)
How it is being said (tone, style)
What is rhetoric?
Rhetoric is the skillful use of
language.
The goal of rhetoric is to change
others’ point of view or to move
others to take action.
Precise, thoughtful, purposeful
language and images are tools
for persuasion/argument.
What is the Rhetorical Triangle?
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Shows the
relationship
between
speaker,
audience,
message, style,
purpose, tone
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Understanding
these rhetorical
elements
makes both
writing and
analysis much
clearer
The Speaking Triangle
MESSAGE
TONE
STYLE
PURPOSE
SPEAKER
AUDIENCE
Aristotle described two
ways one can
examine rhetoric. The
first is called the
Speaking Triangle.
Aristotle believed that
the structure and
language of an
argument are
determined by the
interaction between
the speaker,
audience, and subject
of a text.
The Rhetorical Triangle
Message
Tone
Speaker
Style
Purpose
Audience
What are logos, ethos, and
pathos?
Logos = Logic
Ethos = Ethics, Image
Pathos = Emotions (Passion)
The rhetorical triangle is typically represented by an equilateral triangle, suggesting
that logos, ethos, and pathos should be balanced within a text. However, which
aspect(s) of the rhetorical triangle you favor in your writing depends on both the
audience and the purpose of that writing. Yet, if you are in doubt, seek a balance
among all three elements.
Logos
(reason/text/subject/message)
Ethos
(credibility/writer/speaker)
Pathos
(values,emotions,audience)
Logos
Logos is an argument based on facts, evidence and reason.
Using logos means appealing to the readers’ sense of what is
logical.
Logos appeals to reason.
Logos can also be thought of as the text of the argument, as
well as how well a writer has argued his/her point.
Ethos
Ethos is an argument based on character.
Using ethos means the writer or speaker appeals to the audience’s sense
of ethical behavior. The writer or speaker presents him or herself to
the audience as credible, trustworthy, honest and ethical.
Ethos can also be thought of as the role of the writer in the argument, and
how credible his/her argument is.
“I am an ethical expert, so believe what I say.”
Pathos
Pathos = argument based on feelings
Pathos appeals to the emotions and the sympathetic
imagination, as well as to beliefs and values.
Pathos can also be thought of as the role of the audience in
the argument.
The Message
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Consider this when trying to identify the
exact message:
 What is the topic (1-2 words) about which
the piece is written?
 What is the most important aspect or
perspective about that topic that the
author wants you to understand?
 What, exactly, does the author want the
reader to think/do/feel/say?
 What is the “no” on the other side of the
author’s “yes?” (And vice versa)
The Rhetorical Triangle
Message
Speaker
Audience
The Tone
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What is the author’s attitude about his
/ her subject / message?
What words in the message let you
know the tone?
How does the selection of the tone
affect the audience’s reception of the
message? Is it appropriate for the
occasion/subject matter?
The Rhetorical Triangle
Message
Tone
Speaker
Audience
The Tone
Zealous
Condescending
Remorseful
Self-Deprecating
Sardonic
Apathetic
Conciliatory
Resigned
Detached
Sarcastic
Reticent
Complimentary
Nostalgic
Haughty
Irreverent
The Style
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What strategies does the author
employ in order to get his / her
message across?
These strategies may include: ethos,
logos, pathos; organization; diction;
syntax; figurative language;
grammatical structure; selection of
details; imagery
The Rhetorical Triangle
Message
Tone
Speaker
Style
Audience
The Rhetorical Purpose
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Under what circumstances is the
author addressing his/her audience?
In other words, what is going on in the
world at the time this text was
composed, and how do those events
affect the text?
What is the “no” on the other side of
the author’s “yes”?
The Rhetorical Triangle
Message
Tone
Speaker
Style
Purpose
Audience
Logos
Logos – An Appeal to Logic
Aristotle defined Logos as an
argument based on evidence
such as facts, statistics,
testimonies, and those based
on logical reasoning and
common sense.
Appealing to Logos is important
because it demonstrates a
speakers expertise on a
subject by providing evidence
to support her claim.
This is LOGOS because…
Ethos
Ethos – An Appeal to Character
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Aristotle defined Ethos as
an appeal character that
demonstrates a speaker is
trustworthy (ie: street
cred).
A speaker evoking ethos
can be a writer, orator,
painter, graphic novelists,
songwriter, blogger, etc.
This is ETHOS, because…
Pathos
Pathos – An Appeal to Emotion
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Aristotle defined
Pathos as a way a
speaker engages
the audience to illicit
an emotional
response, be it
nostalgia, anger,
compassion, etc.
Evoking Pathos is
important for a
speaker to establish
a bond between
himself and his
audience.
This is Pathos, because…
As you watch the following clip, identify
elements of ethos/pathos/logos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_DQUAuNUvw
SOAPSTone
Speaker – Ethos
Occasion – Why and When
speech is given.
Audience – The people who
Another tool one can
observe or listen to the
use to analyze
speech and their expectation
rhetoric is
and reaction.
SOAPSTone. If the
Rhetorical Triangle is
Purpose – What is the speech
a wide angle lens of a
trying to do to the audience?
speech, SOAPSTone
Subject – What the speech is
is the close-up shot.
about?
Tone – The attitude of the
speaker.
As you watch the following clip, identify elements of
ethos/pathos/logos
Remember the Titans
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEOHbqcJ
uvI
http://prezi.com/8nlwccpco4ch/remember-thetitans-gettysburg-speech/
The rhetorical triangle is typically represented by an equilateral triangle, suggesting
that logos, ethos, and pathos should be balanced within a text. However, which
aspect(s) of the rhetorical triangle one favors in their writing depends on both the
audience and the purpose of that writing. Yet, if you are in doubt, seek a balance
among all three elements.
Logos
(reason/text)
Ethos
(credibility/writer)
Pathos
(values,emotions,audience)
Speaking Triangle Example
Let us listen to Lou Gehrig’s farewell address:
Speaker: Speakers create a persona, or
character in which he/she presents oneself.
Gehrig cast himself as the humble hero who
courageously fought a deadly disease
Audience: An audience has an expectation of a
speaker that is either confirmed, denied, or
altered. Gehrig’s audience expected him to
have self-pity for himself after being
diagnosed with a fatal illness, but instead he
declared he was “the luckiest man on earth.”
Subject: Subjects are the topic addressed by the
speaker and the context in which the speech
is given. Gehrig gave his farewell address at
a sold-out Yankee Stadium to announce his
sudden retirement. The audience assumed
Gehrig would discuss his “bad break,” but
instead he gave a motivational speech
focusing on how he was “the luckiest man on
earth.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=626Dt9JdjQs
Speaking Triangle Application
Watch the following
scene from the
movie Braveheart
and identify the
speaker, audience,
and subject of this
speech.
http://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=lEOOZDbMrgE
Analyzing
Logos:
Is the thesis clear and specific? Is the thesis supported by strong reasons and credible evidence?
Is the argument logical and arranged in a well-reasoned order?
Ethos:
What are the writer’s qualifications? How has the writer connected him/herself to the topic being discussed?
Does the writer demonstrate respect for multiple viewpoints by using sources in the text?
Are sources credible? Are sources documented appropriately?
Does the writer use a tone that is suitable for the audience/purpose?
Is the diction (word choice) used appropriate for the audience/purpose?
Is the document presented in a polished and professional manner?
Pathos:
Are vivid examples, details and images used to engage the reader’s emotions and imagination?
Does the writer appeal to the values and beliefs of the reader by using examples readers can relate to or
care about?
Summary
Speaking Triangle:
Speaker –Audience –Message
Rhetorical Triangle:
-Ethos –Pathos –Logos
SOAPSTone:
-Speaker –Occasion –Audience –
Purpose –Subject -Tone