Persuasion & Argumentation through Logos, Ethos, and Pathos. Mr J

Persuasion & Argumentation through Logos, Ethos, and Pathos Mr J

Proper Credit Where It Is Due: -Large portions of the following powerpoint were taken from the following websites: - http://www.pflugervilleisd.net/curriculum/ela/grade9/documents /Ethos_Pathos_Logos.ppt - Cintrasclassweebly.com

Who is Aristotle? Aristotle (384-322 BCE) is the most notable product of the educational program devised by Plato. Aristotle wrote on an amazing range of subjects, from logic, philosophy, and ethics to physics, biology, psychology, politics, and rhetoric.

What is rhetoric? Rhetoric is the art of persuasion. The goal of persuasion is to change others point of view or to move others to take action.

What is logos, ethos, and pathos? Logos = Logic Ethos = Ethics, Image Pathos = Emotions (Passion)

Logos, Ethos, Pathos Using logos, ethos, and pathos will help you to master the art of persuasion. Through language, you will be able to change the point of view of others! Through language, you will be able to motivate others to take action!

Logos Logos is an argument based on facts, evidence and reason. Using logos means appealing to the readers sense of what is logical.

Logos Is your argument based on logical & appropriate evidence? Does it require one of the following types of reasoning: Deductive Inductive

Deductive Logic Deductive reasoning: Begins with a generalization Cites a specific case related to the generalization Ends with a conclusion based on the above

Deductive Logic Aristotle s example of deductive reasoning: All men are mortal. Socrates is a man. Socrates is mortal. Another example from Caesar: Killing another human is dishonorable. Brutus killed another human. Brutus is dishonorable.

Inductive Logic Inductive reasoning: Begins with several pieces of specific evidence Draws generalization and conclusion from this evidence

Inductive Logic Same example reversed: Socrates is mortal. Plato is mortal. Pythagoras is mortal All men are mortal. Another example from Caesar: - Cassius lied to kill Caesar. Casca and Metellus Cimber decieved to kill Caesar. - The men who participated in the plot to kill Caesar were dishonorable.

Logical Fallacies Logic can be misused; When logic is misused, it is called a logical fallacy. Post hoc ergo propter hoc: This is a conclusion that assumes that if 'A' occurred after 'B' then 'B' must have caused 'A.' Example: I went to school and now I am sick, so school must have made me sick.

Ethos Ethos is an argument based on character. 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. I am an ethical expert, so believe what I say.

Aristotle: "There is persuasion] through character whenever the speech is spoken in such a way as to make the speaker worthy of credence; for we believe fair-minded people to greater extent and more quickly [than we do others] on all subjects in general and completely so in cases where there is not exact knowledge but room for doubt. And this should result from the speech, not from a previous opinion that the speaker is a certain kind of person."

Ethos 1. What does the author do to present herself as a credible source? Does the author give you direct information? (degrees, previous research, recognition, etc.) 2. Does the author respect her audience? What does she do to show that respect (or lack of)? 3. Is her tone overly sarcastic? despondent? condescending? 4. Does the author have a biased world view/opinion? Does the author acknowledge or address her opposition at all or in a respectful manner? 5. Is the author careful and clean in her presentation? Should we take the author seriously if she does not pay close attention to detail? 6. Is the author honest? Does she use quality evidence and research, properly documented and supported?

Pathos Pathos = argument based on feelings Using pathos means appealing to readers emotions and feelings.

Pathos It is fine and even appropriate to use emotional appeal in your argument But Trouble can occur when this the sole or primary basis of your argument

Pathos Use in conjunction with logos to reach your audience Emotions appeal to audience more powerfully than reason alone

Pathos 1. How does the text make you feel? Annoyed? Scared? Excited? Close to tears? 2. How do the elements of the text function to make you feel that way? 3. Is the tone intense, detached, hectic, overly casual? What emotional response does the tone evoke? 4. Do the meanings of specific words or phrases evoke a strong emotional response? 5. Does the author use metaphors to evoke certain emotions? 6. Does the author manipulate the audience by unduly evoking emotions? (sentimentality) 7. Are the examples the author uses logically irrelevant but emotionpacked? What emotions do the examples evoke?

Symbols for Logos, Ethos and Pathos Logos = Head Ethos = Hand Pathos = Heart

Pathos

Logos Example In the following example, note how Ian Ayres uses evidence from experience (her work environment, Delta Airlines, the University of Chicago). This evidence establishes the precedent that Ayres uses to compare to the current situation that she argues should be changed.

Logos Example We don t have single-sex toilets at home, and we don t need them at the office. Then there s also the small question of efficiency. I see my male colleagues waiting in line to use the men s room, when the women s toilet is unoccupied. Which is precisely why Delta Airlines doesn t label those two bathrooms at the back of the plane as being solely for men and women. It just wouldn t fly.

Logos Example The University of Chicago just got the 10 single-use restrooms on campus designated gender neutral. It s time Yale followed suit. And this is not just an academic problem. There are tens of thousands of single-use toilets at workplaces and public spaces throughout the nation that are wrong-headedly designated for a single-sex. All these single-use toilets should stop discriminating. They should be open to all on a first-come, first-lock basis. Ian Ayres, Looking Out for No. 2

Ethos Example In the following example, note how Nancy Mairs establishes her credibility and trustworthiness and authority to write about this subject by being honest. Mairs admits she is uncertain about her own motives and shows she understands the discomfort others have with this subject.

Ethos Example First, the matter of semantics. I am a cripple. I choose this word to name me. I choose from among several possibilities, the most common of which are handicapped and disabled. I made the choice a number of years ago, without thinking, unaware of my motives for doing so. Even now, I am not sure what those motives are, but I recognize that they are complex and not entirely flattering.

Ethos Examples People crippled or not wince at the word cripple, as they do not at handicapped or disabled. Perhaps I want them to wince. I want them to see me as a tough customer, one to whom the fates/gods/viruses have not been kind, but who can face the brutal truth of her existence squarely. As a cripple, I swagger. Nancy Mairs, On Being a Cripple

Pathos Example In the following example from a speech by Winston Churchill, note the use of anaphora (repetition of a word or group of words at the beginning of items in a series). This repetition emphasizes the point and expresses passion and emotion. Moreover, the repetition affects the audience emotionally.

Pathos Example We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender. Winston Churchill, speech to the House of Commons, June 4, 1940

Review Logos = logic Logos is an argument based on facts, evidence and reason. Using logos means appealing to the readers sense of what is logical.

Review Ethos = Ethics / Image Ethos is an argument based on character. The writer or speaker presents him or herself to the reader as credible, trustworthy, honest and ethical.

Review Pathos = argument based on feelings Using pathos means appealing to readers emotions and feelings.

WTL: Logos, Ethos, or Pathos In your WTL: For the next 18 slides identify whether the advertisement uses logos, ethos, or pathos to sell their product.

Logos, Pathos or Ethos?

Ethos, Pathos, or Logos?

Pathos, or Logos?

Ethos, Pathos, Logos?