Persuasion

1. Persuasion English III

2. Three methods of persuasion • Ethos • Logos • Pathos • These three methods were divided by the Greek philosopher, Aristotle.

3. Ethos • Credibility • Convinces by the character of the author or speaker • We tend to believe people we like. • Refers to the trustworthiness or credibility of the writer or speaker. It is often conveyed through tone and style of the message and through the way the writer or speaker refers to differing views.

4. Logos • Logical • Persuasion by the use of reasoning. • Aristotle’s favorite • Greek for word. • Refers to the internal consistency of the message- the clarity of the claim, the logic of its reasons, and the effectiveness of its supporting evidence.

5. Pathos • Emotional • Persuasion by appealing to the reader/viewer’s emotions. • Language choice affects the audience’s emotional response, and emotional appeal can effectively be used to enhance an argument. • Greek for “suffering” or “experience” • Described as “appeal to the audience’s sympathies and imagination”

6. In society • Ethos and Pathos • Have their place in community’s rhetoric (advertisements/PSA) • Generally not used for professional or academic purposes • The general public is attracted to material that appeals to their sense of morals and emotions. • Logos • Logic is what you want to strive for in academics, work, and other professional endeavors • If a plan makes sense, the audience is more likely to be persuaded.