Transcript Emotional Appeals in Persuasive Writing

Persuasive Writing
The Rhetorical Appeals
The art of persuasion
Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher,
developed the theory of how arguments
are constructed that is still used today.
He said that the goal of persuasion is to…
1. Convince an audience that your point
is valid or correct
2. Or that your point is more valid or
correct than another’s point
Aristotle (384-322 BC)
Tools for Persuasion
• Aristotle described three main tools for
persuasion: LOGOS, PATHOS, ETHOS, and
KAIROS.
DEFINITION: Logos
Logos means logic.
1. Facts
2. Numbers
EXAMPLE OF LOGOS
•Pesticides contain chemicals, like arsenic,
that destroy the nervous system.
DEFINITION: Pathos
Pathos means emotion.
1.Feelings/Emotions
2.Biases (prejudice or
stereotypes)
EXAMPLE OF PATHOS
•Knowing the warning signs of cancer could
save you from suffering the loss of someone
you love, like I did.
DEFINITION: Ethos
Ethos means ethical or moral;
doing the right thing.
1.Examples of others who have
done the right thing
2.People who support this idea
3.You want to do the right thing
don’t you?
EXAMPLE OF ETHOS
With your contribution to
the ASPCA, you can help
an animal in need.
DEFINITION: Kairos
Kairos means timeliness; this is
the right moment
Now is the time!
For a limited time only!
Don’t wait!
This offer will not be repeated!
Time is running out!
Appeals are never used
alone…
Good persuasive arguments always use all
the rhetorical appeals.
They are the puzzle pieces that form a
persuasive argument.