ARISTOTLE’S THREE WAYS TO PERSUADE

Warm Up

Think of the last time you tried to persuade someone of something. (A friend, a parent, a teacher, etc.) How did you present your argument? Were you successful? Why or why not?

Rhetoric

Rhetoric—the art of speaking or writing effectively (Webster's)

The art of using language to persuade others (OED)

The goal of persuasion is to change others’ point of view or to get them to believe your point of view

According to Aristotle, rhetoric is "the ability, in each particular case, to see the available means of persuasion." He described three main forms of rhetoric: Logos, Ethos and Pathos.

Logos, Ethos, Pathos

Using logos, ethos, and pathos will help you to master the art of persuasion.

• Through language, you will be able to convince others of your point of view

• Through language, you will be able to motivate others to take action

Logos

Logos is appeal based on logic or reason. Arguing a point by using factual and

sometimes scientific reasons to persuade.Statistics, numbers, surveys, charts as proof

of evidence.Concrete examples of experiences or

evidence that have already been tested and tried.

Using logos means appealing to the readers’ sense of what is logical.

Logos

How is logos being used here?

Ethos

Ethos is appeal based on the character of the speaker. An ethos-driven argument relies on the

reputation of the author or speaker, whether or not the person has authority or believability.

Using ethos means the writer or speaker appeals to the audience’s sense of ethical behavior. The writer or speaker presents him or herself to the audience as credible, trustworthy, honest and ethical.

Ethos

For an Ethos appeal to be effective, the ethos, or ethical standing, of the author/speaker must be aligned with the values, morals, and beliefs of the targeted audience.

Ethos

• How is ethos being used here?

• How is ethos being used here?

Pathos

Pathos is appeal based on emotion. Using language to connect with the

audience emotionally or to elicit an emotional response from the audience.

Common pathos-driven appeals play on the emotions love, fear, hate, joy, or guilt.

Using pathos means appealing to readers’ emotions and feelings.

Pathos

How is pathos being used here?

Logos, Ethos, Pathos

The most successful appeals utilize all three of these rhetorical strategies.

How does this use all three rhetorical strategies?

Example 1

Which technique is used in the following example?

It is wrong to not allow immigrants citizenship in our country. Everyone has a right to be granted citizenship if s/he is a hard worker and contributes to society. It is our moral duty to grant amnesty to anyone who shows they are hard working and here to make a better life.

Logos, ethos or pathos

Turn to a partner and choose which technique best describes the persuasion used in example one. Write it down.

Example 2

Which technique is used in the following example?

Imagine you live in a country where you are not allowed to express yourself, a country where citizens are exploited and not given freedom. How would that make you feel? Now imagine you risked your life to come to this country, a “free country,” to seek a better life for your family, but you are told you are a criminal and shipped back home.

Logos, ethos or pathos

Turn to a partner and choose which technique best describes the persuasion used in example two. Write it down.

Example three

Which technique is used in the following example?

A study done by the ACLU shows that the vast majority of so-called “illegal” immigrants work hard and contribute much money to our economy (Harrison, p.12). The same study shows that, if we actually deported all of these immigrants, our economy would suffer dire consequences. A better solution would be granting them amnesty and allowing them citizenship so that they can pay taxes and continue to contribute to our society. Therefore, attacking these people who came here for a better life would end up hurting us more than helping us.

Logos, ethos or pathos

Turn to a partner and choose which technique best describes the persuasion used in example three. Write it down.