Transcript Logos, Ethos, Pathos The Three Appeals of Argument

Logos, Ethos,
Pathos
The Three Appeals
of Argument
Logos
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Rational
Logical
Logos
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Is your argument based on logical &
appropriate evidence?
Does it require one of the following
types of reasoning:
– Deductive
– Inductive
Logos
Deductive reasoning:
– Begins with a generalization
– Cites a specific case related to the
generalization
– Ends with a conclusion based on the
above
Logos
Aristotle’s example of deductive
reasoning:
All men are mortal.
Socrates is a man.
Socrates is mortal.
Logos
Inductive reasoning:
– Begins with several pieces of specific
evidence
– Draws generalization and conclusion from
this evidence
Logos
Same example reversed:
– Socrates is mortal. Plato is mortal.
Pythagoras is mortal
– All men are mortal.
Be Aware of
Generalizations
Post hoc ergo propter hoc: This is a
conclusion that assumes that if 'A' occurred
after 'B' then 'B' must have caused 'A.'
Example:
I went to school and now I am sick, so school
must have made me sick.
Ethos
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Ethical appeal
Aristotle:
"There is persuasion] through character whenever the
speech is spoken in such a way as to make the
speaker worthy of credence; for we believe fairminded people to greater extent and more quickly
[than we do others] on all subjects in general and
completely so in cases where there is not exact
knowledge but room for doubt. And this should
result from the speech, not from a previous opinion
that the speaker is a certain kind of person."
Ethos
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Refers not to the ethics of the
argument, but to the ethics of the
person making the argument
Shows that the person making the
argument has a certain degree of
credibility, is of good character and is
qualified to be making the argument
Ethos= Credibility
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What is credibility?
Are YOU a credible source? If so, how
so?
Ethos
1. What does the author do to present herself as a credible
source? Does the author give you direct information?
(degrees, previous research, recognition, etc.)
2. Does the author respect her audience? What does she do
to show that respect (or lack of)?
3. Is her tone overly sarcastic? despondent?
condescending?
4. Does the author have a biased world view/opinion? Does
the author acknowledge or address her opposition at all or
in a respectful manner?
5. Is the author careful and clean in her presentation?
Should we take the author seriously if she does not pay
close attention to detail?
6. Is the author honest? Does she use quality evidence and
research, properly documented and supported?
Pathos
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Emotional appeal
Pathos
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It is fine and even appropriate to use
emotional appeal in your argument
But…
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Trouble can occur when this the sole
or primary basis of your argument
Pathos
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Use in conjunction with logos to reach
your audience
Emotions appeal to audience more
powerfully than reason alone
Pathos
1. How does the text make you feel? Annoyed? Scared?
Excited? Close to tears?
2. How do the elements of the text function to make you feel
that way?
3. Is the tone intense, detached, hectic, overly casual? What
emotional response does the tone evoke?
4. Do the meanings of specific words or phrases evoke a
strong emotional response?
5. Does the author use metaphors to evoke certain emotions?
6. Does the author manipulate the audience by unduly
evoking emotions? (sentimentality)
7. Are the examples the author uses logically irrelevant but
emotion-packed? What emotions do the examples evoke?
Logos, Pathos or Ethos?
Logos, Pathos or Ethos?
Logos, Pathos or Ethos?
Logos, Pathos or Ethos?
Logos, Pathos or Ethos?
Sell Your Product
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Choose an item/product and create an advertisement.
The ad must represent an appeal to logos, pathos, or ethos
( or a combination of…)
The ad must be representative of your best work.
Be prepared to defend your creation.
Yes, I know sex sells so please
keep it classroom appropriate!!!
Logos, Pathos, Ethos
Make it Personal
Examples:
“I Have A Dream”- Martin Luther King Jr.
All I Really Need to Know I Learned in
Kindergarten- Robert Fulghum
Sell Yourself
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Choose a personal credo
Use this credo to assist you in
developing an autobiography.
Compose Your Story cont.
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It’s not enough to say this is my
birth/life story—connect the credo to
the life story.
Why do you subscribe to this credo?
Apply logos, pathos or ethos so that
you leave your audience “buying” your
story