Rhetorical Triangle for

AnalysisEthos

Pathos

Logos

Parts of Aristotle’s Triangle

Speaker

Audience Subject

Purpose1. Entertain2. Inform3. Persuade

Parts DefinedSpeaker: The person or group who creates a text. Will not always be the person speaking; can be an artist, company, or politician. Sometimes there is a difference between who the speaker is in real life and the role the speaker plays when delivering the speech.

Audience: The listener, viewer, or reader of a text or performance. There may be multiple audiences. Be very specific. Instead of “All People” try – “Adults with small children who have food allergies”. What values does the audience hold; how much do they know; what is their attitude toward the subject?

Parts ContinuesSubject: this is the topic, content, and ideas: the main idea(s). Must not be confused with the purpose. Again, be specific.

Purpose: the goal the speaker wants to achieve. The reasons behind the text. What does the author want the audience to do as a result of reading the text?1. Entertain2. Inform3. Persuade

Rhetorical A

ppeals

Logos Appeals to reason: MATHEMATICAL

Clear, Rational ideas, Logical thinking

Greek for “embodied thought”

Graphs

Charts

% or Numbers or Statistics

Research or Experiments

Examples or Facts

May acknowledge a Counterargument (the other side).

Agree the argument is true (CONCEDE)

Deny it to be true (REFUTE)

Rhetorical A

ppeals

Pathos Appeal to emotions, desires, and hopes

or fears and prejudices Understands the power of evoking an

audience’s emotions by using tools such as:

Figurative language

Personal anecdotes

Vivid Images/Imagery

Humor

Colors

Music

Chooses diction with strong Connotation.

MUST evoke emotion from the audience

Rhetorical A

ppeals

Ethos Greek for “Character”

Demonstrates that the speaker(s) are credible and trustworthy.

In some instances the speaker’s reputation immediately establishes ethos.

Includes Morals, Values, & Ethics

Speaker gives:

Expertise

Knowledge

Experience

Sincerity

Common purpose with the audience