Ethos & Argument4.17.2013

Ethos• What is ethos?

Ethos defined (in book)• “skilled presentation of a writer’s or speaker’s

character”(123).• “reputation” (123).• “presence on stage”(123).• A speaker’s “impact on the audience”(123).• Speaker’s “credibility”(125)

Ethos

Situated• Reputation already

established by historical relationship, event relationship, relationship to speaker’s characteristics.• Embedded in social

situations/social status• Power & authority often

assigned• Depends on context

Invented• Invent a character/ethos

through careful word choice, structure, etc.• Show that the speaker is

informed.• Demonstrate that the

writer is trustworthy• Show that the speaker is

of good character.

“Voice”• Creating character through stylistic choices in writing• Creating tone: cheerful, optimistic, funny, angry, gloomy, hopeful,

critical, etc.• Creating relationship to audience• Closeness, intimacy, understanding, sympathy

ExampleTHE PRESIDENT: Good morning, everybody. I’ve just been briefed by my national security team, including FBI Director Mueller, Attorney General Holder, Secretary Napolitano, and my Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Advisor Lisa Monaco, on the attacks in Boston. We continue to mobilize and deploy all appropriate law enforcement resources to protect our citizens, and to investigate and to respond to this attack.

Obviously our first thoughts this morning are with the victims, their families, and the city of Boston. We know that two explosions gravely wounded dozens of Americans, and took the lives of others, including a 8-year-old boy.This was a heinous and cowardly act. And given what we now know about what took place, the FBI is investigating it as an act of terrorism.

Why is ethos important?• Builds relationship between speaker or writer and his/her

audience. • Allows audience to feel that the speaker is trustworthy and

credible

Presenting your issue & Thesis• Issue Question:

• Should college be more affordable?• Should the law allow human genes to be patented?• Should everyone have access to financial aid?• Does technology help facilitate human communication or hinder it? • Should there be rent control in the Bay Area?• What is the best way to stimulate the Oakland economy? • Is computer-generated imagery, or C.G.I., ruining the magic of

cinema or enhancing it?• Is there an environmentally friendly way to increase oil production

in the US? • Can violent movies create crime?

Thesis• Needs to take an opinion (Claim, position, argument)• Present a side/perspective• Present reason

• “Yes, violent movies can spur criminal activity BECAUSE it desensitizes viewers to violence, makes crime casual, and creates an alternative reality where consequences don’t matter”

• “No, violent movies do not encourage criminal behavior, environmental, social, and psychological factors are the strongest contributors in making someone commit a crime”

• “While social and psychological environments are a major component in criminal behavior, violent movies can exacerbate the tendency to act out that behavior on others”

Developing supporting points• Thesis: “Yes, violent movies can spur criminal activity BECAUSE

it desensitizes viewers to violence, makes crime casual, and creates an alternative reality where consequences don’t matter”

• Counter argument: violent movies are not the direct cause• Supporting point (1) desensitizes viewers• Supporting point (2) makes crime casual• Supporting point (3) creates an alternative reality where

consequences don’t matter

Developing Supporting Points• “While social and psychological environments are a major

component in criminal behavior, violent movies can exacerbate the tendency to act out that behavior on others”

• Counter argument (1) social and psychological environments are a major component

• Supporting point (1) violent movies allow viewer to escape reality of consequences

• Supporting point (2) violent movies can ignite emotional responses that might not have existed otherwise

• Supporting point (3) allows individual to idolize violence

Developing paragraphs• Workshop on developing your ideas through explanation,

support, and connection.

Homework• Complete Unit 7: Showing Logical relationships with transition

words• Read Chapter 7: Reasoning with Audiences; Logic on the

ground of a critical situation• Create short outline (Issue question, thesis, 3-5 supporting

points with evidence/quotes selected from research)• Draft