What are the definitions of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos? What is an easy way to remember them?
They are methods of persuasion - by appealing to the character of the speaker (Ethos), logic (Logos), and emotion (Pathos).
Explanation:
Before we dive in, let's first talk about where these concepts come from. The answer is Aristotle (384-322 BCE), who wrote extensively on the subject of rhetoric (the art of persuasive speaking and writing).
Ethos, Pathos, and Logos are three different ways to be persuasive.
- Ethos (from the Greek for "character") serves to highlight the persuader's credibility or ethical state. A couple of examples:
As a doctor, I can tell you that your diet is of concern and so you should eat better.
As a dad to two children, I believe you should play sports with your kids.
- Pathos (from the Greek for "suffering" and "experience") is an appeal to someone's emotions. A couple of examples:
How can you allow this kind of behaviour to occur in a town full of God fearing people?
After years of working for the company, how can they simply just let me go?
- Logos (from the Greek for "I say") is an appeal to logic and reason. A couple of examples:
According to a recent study, being a parent is linked to an increase in hair loss.
They are methods of persuasion - by appealing to the character of the speaker (Ethos), logic (Logos), and emotion (Pathos).
Explanation:
Before we dive in, let's first talk about where these concepts come from. The answer is Aristotle (384-322 BCE), who wrote extensively on the subject of rhetoric (the art of persuasive speaking and writing).
Ethos, Pathos, and Logos are three different ways to be persuasive.
- Ethos (from the Greek for "character") serves to highlight the persuader's credibility or ethical state. A couple of examples:
As a doctor, I can tell you that your diet is of concern and so you should eat better.
As a dad to two children, I believe you should play sports with your kids.
- Pathos (from the Greek for "suffering" and "experience") is an appeal to someone's emotions. A couple of examples:
How can you allow this kind of behaviour to occur in a town full of God fearing people?
After years of working for the company, how can they simply just let me go?
- Logos (from the Greek for "I say") is an appeal to logic and reason. A couple of examples:
According to a recent study, being a parent is linked to an increase in hair loss.
