Identifying Rhetorical Strategies: Logos, Pathos, and Ethos

Rhetoric: The art of using language persuasively and effectively

Logos = Logic
The use of logic, rationality, and critical
reasoning to persuade. Logos appeals to the
mind. Logos seeks to persuade the reader
intellectually.

Some Examples of Logos
Appeal to the mind/intellect
Draw from philosophy and logic
Facts
Statistics
If, then statements
Definitions of terms
!"planation of ideas
#ause and effect
Details that come from o$%ecti&e reporting
Logical reasons and e"planations
Pathos = Emotion
The use of emotion and affect to persuade.
'athos appeals to the heart and to one(s emotions.
'athos seeks to persuade the reader emotionally.

Some Examples of Pathos
Appeal to the heart/emotion
Draw from spirituality or religious traditions
Stories or testimonials
'ersonal anecdotes or stories
'ersonal connections
Imagery and figurati&e language that pro&okes
an emotional response
)isual images or words that inspire you to
empathi*e or ha&e compassion towards the
idea/topic
'owerful words, phrases, or images that stir
up emotion
Details that come from su$%ecti&e reporting
Ethos = Ethics and Credibility
The ongoing esta$lishment of a writer(s or
speaker(s authority, credi$ility, and $elie&a$ility
as he/she speaks or writes. !thos appeals to
ethics and character. !thos seeks to persuade the
reader that the writer/speaker can $e trusted and
$elie&ed due to his/her no$le character or ethical
ways in which he/she is presenting ideas.

Some Examples of Ethos
Appeal to the writer(s/speaker(s $elie&a$ility,
+ualifications, character, rele&ant $iographical
information
-se of credi$le sources .e"perts, scholars/
Accurate citation of sources0 gi&es credit
where credit is due
!"perience and authority0 person knows the
issues and has e"perience in the field
Appropriate language0 uses language of the
discipline
Appropriate tone0 knows the audience and
conte"t of situation
1umility0 is not arrogant
-ses tentati&e yet authoritati&e language,
a&oids sweeping statements like 2Everyone is
doing this,3 2This is the only way,3 2This will
always work.3 Instead says, 2The research
suggests that,3 2Some e"perts $elie&e,3 2In
my experience,3 etc.
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Assignment0 Listen to :arack ;$ama(s Septem$er 5<
th
, 6<5= address to the nation on Syria. As you listen to the speech, fill out the chart $elow,
identifying the ways ;$ama appeals to logos, pathos, and ethos. Find the speech here0 https0//www.youtu$e.com/watch>&?@$Irm76*AT- , or
AouTu$e search 2'resident ;$ama Address to Bation on Syria3 and find the F-LL &ideo .590=9/, or it is posted on !dline.
Note: Tutoring Lab (Room !""# is open $:%&$:'( a)m) and ':'(&%:(( p)m) on Thursday* September "
th
if you need to watch)
his !"S be completed by the start of class #riday, September $%
th
, &'$% as (e (ill )se it in class* therefore, no late credit (ill be a(arded.
Logos = Logic
The use of logic, rationality, and critical reasoning to
persuade. Logos appeals to the mind. Logos seeks to
persuade the reader intellectually.
List All +)otes "sing Logos from Speech and
Specific S)b,Category (ithin Logos
-;&er 5<<,<<< people
ha&e $een killed3
Statistic
Pathos = Emotion
The use of emotion and affect to persuade. 'athos
appeals to the heart and to one(s emotions. 'athos
seeks to persuade the reader emotionally.
List All +)otes "sing Pathos from Speech
and Specific S)b,Category (ithin Pathos
Cmen, women,
children lying in
rows killed $y
poison gas3
Imagery
Ethos = Ethics and Credibility
The ongoing esta$lishment of a writer(s or speaker(s
authority, credi$ility, and $elie&a$ility as he/she speaks or
writes. !thos appeals to ethics and character. !thos
seeks to persuade the reader that the writer/speaker can $e
trusted and $elie&ed due to his/her no$le character or
ethical ways in which he/she is presenting ideas.
List All +)otes "sing Ethos from Speech
and Specific S)b,Category (ithin Ethos
C1umanitarian
organi*ations told
stories of hospitals
packed with people3
-se of credi$le
sources/citation of
sources

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