Ethos, Pathos, Logos
Ethos, Pathos, Logos...
What are they and why do you need to know about them?
They are Rhetorical Appeals... uh say what?
In plain English they are ways to persuade and convince people through writing. If you really want to make an impact on where someone's mind goes while reading your essays ethos, pathos, and logos will help you do just that.
Ethos, Pathos, Logos - What do they mean?
Rather than words, lets look at the diagram. It says it all.
A Closer Look...
LOGOS
Logos is the argument. Logos is how you structure the writing.
The logical side of the brain, the left side loves this information.
A strong arguments is built on logical facts, statistics and evidence: Logos
A clear message that makes sense. That's what your audience needs. The flow of your ideas impact the clarity and logical flow impacts how your ideas are received. Include an opening, statements of support, and a conclusion. (Sound familiar?)
PATHOS
Emotions are triggered with pathos, and emotions live on the right side of the brain.
Emotions cause people to action. Advertisements count on this fact: Buy first, regret later.
Emotions like descriptive words and sensory details. Use them with purpose and they can be a power persuasive tool.
If you're making a speech, your body language taps into emotions, especially your facial expressions.
Telling stories is a powerful way to tap into your audiences emotions. Use your own stories or retellings of others' experiences.
ETHOS
- Facts? Check!
- Stories? Check!
- Credibility? ... you need it or the other two are ineffective.
People want to trust you. Speek from a place of certainly, authority, and accuracy. That enhances trust.
If you are not an expert in what you are sharing with your audience, find so reliable, accurate sources from which you will be sharing your information.
Be confident. Know that you are the expert. If you know more than your audience, that make you more of an expert than them. Be real about your word choice and share your passion with conviction. However, don't over react either.
There you go,
Ethos
Pathos
Logos
Start exploring with these as you write. They are the keys to powerful persuasion and effective communication!
