Ethos, Pathos, Logos

Rhetorical Strategies

RhetoricRhetoric• Rhetoric—the art of speaking or writing Rhetoric—the art of speaking or writing

effectively (Webster's)effectively (Webster's)• The art of using language to persuade

others (OED)• According to Aristotle, rhetoric is "the According to Aristotle, rhetoric is "the

ability, in each particular case, to see the ability, in each particular case, to see the available means of persuasion." He available means of persuasion." He described three main forms of rhetoric: described three main forms of rhetoric:

Logos, Ethos and Pathos.Logos, Ethos and Pathos.

• Rhetoric—the art of speaking or writing Rhetoric—the art of speaking or writing effectively (Webster's)effectively (Webster's)

• The art of using language to persuade others (OED)

• According to Aristotle, rhetoric is "the According to Aristotle, rhetoric is "the ability, in each particular case, to see the ability, in each particular case, to see the available means of persuasion." He available means of persuasion." He described three main forms of rhetoric: described three main forms of rhetoric:

Logos, Ethos and Pathos.Logos, Ethos and Pathos.

LogosLogos• Logos is appeal based on logic

or reason.•Arguing a point by using factual

and sometimes scientific reasons to persuade.•Statistics, numbers, surveys, charts

as proof of evidence.•Concrete examples of experiences

or evidence that have already been tested and tried.

• Logos is appeal based on logic or reason.•Arguing a point by using factual

and sometimes scientific reasons to persuade.•Statistics, numbers, surveys, charts

as proof of evidence.•Concrete examples of experiences

or evidence that have already been tested and tried.

LogosLogos

• How is logos being used here?

• How is logos being used here?

EthosEthos

• Ethos is appeal based on the character of the speaker. •An ethos-driven argument relies

on the reputation of the author or speaker, whether or not the person has authority or believability.

• Ethos is appeal based on the character of the speaker. •An ethos-driven argument relies

on the reputation of the author or speaker, whether or not the person has authority or believability.

EthosEthos

• For an Ethos appeal to be effective, the ethos, or ethical standing, of the author/speaker must be aligned with the values, morals, and beliefs of the targeted audience.

• For an Ethos appeal to be effective, the ethos, or ethical standing, of the author/speaker must be aligned with the values, morals, and beliefs of the targeted audience.

EthosEthos

• How is ethos being used here?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HNKqffU3Cc

• How is ethos being used here?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HNKqffU3Cc

PathosPathos

• Pathos is appeal based on emotion.• Using language to connect with the

audience emotionally or to elicit an emotional response from the audience.

• Common pathos-driven appeals play on the emotions love, fear, hate, joy, or guilt.

• Pathos is appeal based on emotion.• Using language to connect with the

audience emotionally or to elicit an emotional response from the audience.

• Common pathos-driven appeals play on the emotions love, fear, hate, joy, or guilt.

PathosPathos

• How is pathos being used here?

• How is pathos being used here?

Logos, Ethos, PathosLogos, Ethos, Pathos

• The most successful appeals utilize all three of these rhetorical strategies.

• The most successful appeals utilize all three of these rhetorical strategies.

Logos, Ethos, PathosLogos, Ethos, Pathos

• Let’s see if we can spot them as we read Martin Luther King, Jr’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”

• Let’s see if we can spot them as we read Martin Luther King, Jr’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”

“Letter” Background“Letter” Background

•In the spring of 1963, Birmingham, Alabama, was at the center of the Civil Rights Movement. Martin Luther King, Jr., and others were leading various non-violent protests over Jim Crow laws.

•King was jailed for the 13th time for his participation, but he refused to make bail in order to draw national attention to the situation in Birmingham.

•In the spring of 1963, Birmingham, Alabama, was at the center of the Civil Rights Movement. Martin Luther King, Jr., and others were leading various non-violent protests over Jim Crow laws.

•King was jailed for the 13th time for his participation, but he refused to make bail in order to draw national attention to the situation in Birmingham.

“Letter” Background“Letter” Background

•On April 12, 1963, a group of eight white, moderate clergymen made a statement saying, that while they agreed that social injustices did exist, the way to fight them was through the courts, not in the streets.

•The “Letter from Birmingham Jail” is Dr. King’s response.

•On April 12, 1963, a group of eight white, moderate clergymen made a statement saying, that while they agreed that social injustices did exist, the way to fight them was through the courts, not in the streets.

•The “Letter from Birmingham Jail” is Dr. King’s response.