A Guide to Ethos Pathos and Logos WAYfor

A Guide to Ethos, Pathos, and Logos “WAYfor SMART” Middle School Students

There is one thing that ALL of you will be wanting in the next few years.

Here’s a hint…

Here’s another hint…

Maybe you’ll be satisfied with your parents’ car. Maybe not.

You are probably thinking…

OR

OR

OR

OR

It wont be easy to convince your parents, but a guy from back in the day wants to help.

Greek Philosopher Student Plato One of the of greatest minds in all of can help you get a car. Teacher of history… Alexander the Great Aristotle

The Art of Rhetoric Persuasion

Ethos Appeal Pathos Eth ical to Authority Logos Have you given me any evidence that I can trust Are youyou? credible?

Do you make me Ethos feel like you and I Appeal want the same Sym path etic Pathos to thing? Emotion Logos

Ethos Appeal Pathos to Reason Logos Logical Logos Does your argument make sense?

Rhetoric The Art of Persuasion

Ethos Ethical Now, let me help Pathos you get that car. Logos Logical Sympathetic

The first and most important step in making a persuasive argument is to think about your audience.

In this case, your audience is your parents.

An argument that might work on your friends might not convince your parents.

You have to look at this from their point of view.

Now, make a list of arguments you can use to convince your parents that you need your own car.

Then, rank those arguments from most effective to least effective.

Finally, using the terms ethos, logos and pathos, label each argument. (Some arguments may be a combination. )

Let’s look at a few examples.

Pathos A car of my own would be AWESOME!

Ethos You can trust me. I always remember to feed the dog.

Logos You will have more time, since I can drive myself to school.

Pathos Everybody else has one.

As you analyze your arguments ask yourself some questions.

Which type or mode of argument is the most effective?

Is there any mode of argument that you could do without?

Is there any mode of argument that you absolutely must have?

There is a lot more that you can learn about rhetoric. In fact, rhetoric is one of the first classes most people take in college.

Finally, how might learning more about ethos, pathos, and logos help you in the future?

Good luck and be safe!