The Three Argument Appeals, The Three Argument Appeals, Aristotle’s Methods of ConvincingAristotle’s Methods of Convincing

Logos

Pathos

Ethos

LogosLogos (Reason)(Reason)Logical appeals include convincing reasons and evidence.Logical appeals include convincing reasons and evidence.

LogosLogos (Reason)(Reason)

ReasonsReasons are statements that explain are statements that explain why why the author the author

holds an opinion.holds an opinion.

Example: Example: Citizens should be required to vote Citizens should be required to vote because only then will elected officials represent all because only then will elected officials represent all

the people.the people.

LogosLogos (Reason)(Reason)

EvidenceEvidence is the specific information that is used to is the specific information that is used to

back up a reason.back up a reason.

LogosLogosTypes of evidence often used include the following:

•Facts – can be proven

•Expert opinions or quotations

•Definitions – statement of meaning of word or phrase

•Statistics – offer scientific support

LogosLogos (Reason)(Reason)

LogosLogosMore types of evidence:

•Examples – powerful illustrations

•Anecdote – incident, often based on writer’s personal experience

•Present opposition– given reasons and evidence to prove the opposition wrong

LogosLogos (Reason)(Reason)

LogosLogosReason which begins with specifics and moves toward a

generalization is inductive.inductive.

Example: Several clubs have reported difficulty completing their business during lunch period. This

proves that lunch periods should be longer.

LogosLogos (Reason)(Reason)

LogosLogosReason which starts with a general observation and moves to

specifics is Deductive.Deductive.

Example: When people hurry, inefficiency and poor communication are the results. Under current conditions

clubs must hurry at lunch time meetings. Therefore, lunch period should be lengthened to allow for better club

meetings.

LogosLogos (Reason)(Reason)

EthosEthos (Ethics)(Ethics)

Convince your readers that Convince your readers that you are fair, honest, and well you are fair, honest, and well

informed.informed.

Then they will trust your values and intentions.Then they will trust your values and intentions.

Avoid over-use of negatively charged words.

PathosPathos (Emotions)(Emotions)Emotional appeals stir feelings

such as happiness or anger in readers.

Authors often use emotional appeals

because they know that our emotions may

override our reason.

PathosPathos (Emotions)(Emotions)Emotional appeals usually use the following:•Loaded words– words with strong emotional associations

•Anecdotes– brief stories or personal accounts of an event

or happening

The Language of The Language of PersuasionPersuasionTo involve the reader and persuade them to

share their point of view, the writer will sometimes use the following:

•Personal pronouns—I, you, us, we, our

•Rhetorical question—What do you think?

•Emotional words and ideas

•Personal stories

The Language of The Language of PersuasionPersuasionTo emphasize ideas and points, the writer

will sometimes use the following:

•Repetition of words—Better health, better homes, better opportunities

•Short, simple sentences

•Similes—comparison using “like” or “as”

•The new health care plan is like a boulder in the path to equality.

•Metaphor—comparison using “is” or “was”

•Changing school start time is a beast.

•Personification—describing something that’s not a person as if it were a person

•Standardized testing allows the government to reach its fingers into our schools.

The Language of The Language of PersuasionPersuasionTo emphasize ideas and points, the writer

may also use types of figurative language:

•Alliteration—repeating sounds at the beginning of words

•The big, bad, and bold leaders need to listen to the people.

•Hyperbole—exaggeration

•School will be a thousand times worse if we change the lunch policy.

•Allusions—references to well-known events, movies, TV shows

•Just as Superman saved the city from evil, so we must save our community from the evils of falling buildings.

The Language of The Language of PersuasionPersuasion

The Language of The Language of PersuasionPersuasionWhen giving a persuasive speech, speakers

may also use dramatic elements to emphasize their arguments.

A speaker may use the following dramatic elements:

•Gestures– movements with their arms or hands

•Posture—how they hold their bodies

•Movements—walking from one location to another