Persuasion + Argument = Rhetorical Triangle

Aristotle

‘sup

The MessArgument

claim

supportcounterargument

Appeal to Association

bandwagontransfer Plain folks

testimonialAppeal to emotions

fear

vanity humor

Ethical appeal

ethics

Persuasion

The Solution

Argument

claim

supportcounterargument

Association

bandwagontransferPlain folks

testimonial

Emotional appeal

fear

vanity humor

Ethical appeal

ethics

Persuasion

The Solution

The Rhetorical TriangleEthos

Logos Pathos

Logos: An appeal to Logic

Ethos

Logos Pathos

• Logos = Logic

• Includes:– Facts– Statistics– Testimony

• Logos’ strength lies in that it is difficult to corrupt.

• Much of your “arguing” will be accomplished through appeals to logos.

A Strong Appeal to Logos

Ethos

Logos Pathos

• Is your claim clear?

• Is it consistent throughout the paper/speech?

• Is there logical support for your claim?

• Is the support you provide effective in proving your claim?

Logos In Action• Many people choose not to give blood believing that there is no real

need, but the truth is 1 in every 5 people will need a blood transfusion.

• 9 out of 10 doctors recommend using our product.

• Switching to fluorescent light can reduce energy costs by up to 40%.

• According to Dr. McGaffin, drinking milk leads to a healthier life.

• 50% of schools report a 20% drop in test grades after implementing school uniforms.

Pathos: An appeal to “Emotion”• Makes the argument matter to the

audience.

• Includes emotional• Stories• Language and wording• Visuals• Transfer• Bandwagon• Pity• Fear• Vanity• Humor • Pathos’ strength lies in the fact that

the audience just feels as though they need take a certain action or adopt a certain opinion.

PathosLogos

Ethos

A good appeal to Pathos• Might better be called an appeal to

the audience’s sympathies and imagination.

• In a good appeal to pathos, the audience doesn’t simply respond emotionally, they identify with the writers point of view.

• It turns the abstractions of logic into something real and present.

• Emotion has the power to sway the mind

PathosLogos

Ethos

Pathos in Action• He killed her. vs. He took his hands and wrapped them around her

innocent neck, taking with him not only her last exquisite breath of life, but the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of a girl who died far too young at the hands of a killer who has been allowed to live for far too long.

• Detailing a horrific accident in how a blood transfusion saved your life.

• Imagine if your dog died from chocking on a water bottle.

• Mood music

Logos v. Pathos

In an appeal to logos, the audience’s decision to agree with the Speaker/author is the logical result of the argument.

It makes sense to agree with the speaker/author.

In an appeal to pathos, the audience’s decision to agree with the speaker/author is the result of an emotional impulse.

You feel compelled to agree because you feel what the speaker/writer is feeling.

Ethos: An appeal to character

Ethos

Logos Pathos

• Ethos has to do with the way the audience perceives the speaker. Is the speaker worth listening to?

• Is the speaker…– Respectable/trustworthy– Articulate– Authoritative– Credible– “Plain folks”

• Ethos works well because if the audience trusts the speaker, they are more likely to listen to him or her.

A strong appeal to Ethos

Ethos

Logos Pathos

• People are more likely to be persuaded by someone who they think has…• Personal warmth• Consideration of others• A good mind• Strong learning

• Credibility• Initial v. derived

Initial Credibility!

Equilateral for a Reason

Ethos

Logos Pathos