RHETORICAL DEVICES—ETHOS, PATHOS, LOGOS,

AND KAIROSAP English2012-2013

Ethos (Credibility)

Ethical Appeals Can mean two things: Convincing by the character of the author. We

tend to believe people whom we respect. One of the central problems of argumentation is to project an impression to the reader that you are someone worth listening to, in other words making yourself as the author into an authority on the subject of the paper, as well as someone who is likable and worthy of respect.

Doing what is right.

Ethos Example

#1--Getting the audience to believe something on author’s reputation:

" Seldom do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas. If I sought to answer all the criticisms that cross my desk, my secretaries would have little time for anything other than such correspondence in the course of the day, and I would have no time for constructive work…”-MLK “Letter from Birmingham Jail”

#2—Doing what is right: “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your

country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”-JFK “Peace Corp Speech”

Logos (Logic)

Logical Appeals What makes sense. Using reasoning

(both deductive and inductive). One of the most common types of

appeals in persuasion and argument. Necessity to use reasoning to support your claims.

Logos Example

Student: “I’m hot.” Teacher: “Well, why don’t you take your jacket off?”

“If you like apples, you like cinnamon, and you like things that are sweet, you must enjoy apple pie.”

Pathos (Emotional)

Pathetic Appeals Persuading by appealing to the reader's

emotions

Pathos Examples

"A brilliant young woman I know was asked once to support her argument in favor of social welfare. She named the most powerful source imaginable: the look in a mother's face when she cannot feed her children. Can you look that hungry child in the eyes? See the blood on his feet from working barefoot in the cotton fields. Or do you ask his baby sister with her belly swollen from hunger if she cares about her daddy's work ethics?"(Nate Parker as Henry Lowe in The Great Debaters, 2007)

Donating to a homeless person often uses this appeal Students are often drawn to a fight because of this

appeal

Kairos (Urgency)

Persuading the audience by building a sense of urgency for your argument

The opportune time and/or place to say or do the right /appropriate thing.

Kairos Example

“It’s the right time to buy a SAAB” – SAAB Motors ‘s “The Time is Now” advertisements

Often used in world hunger infomercials, persuading the audience to call and donate now.

Often used in persuasive essays: “call to action”

What is this?