Persuasion Techniques: Logos, Pathos, and Ethos

Below are definitions and examples of argumentation or persuasive techniques that incorporate a specific focus.

Scenario A: You arrive home one hour after your curfew and your parent or guardian has decided that you should be grounded for a week as punishment. On separate paper, try to persuade your parent or guardian to change his or her mind by using one of three types of arguments.

Argument 1: Appeal to your parent or guardian by showing that you are trustworthy and that you care deeply about the situation and its effect on them. You should use “I.”

Argument 2: Appeal to your parent or guardian by telling a story with lots of details in order to create pity for yourself and your situation. You can use “I,” though you may refer to other people as well.

Argument 3: Appeal to your parent or guardian by giving statistics and commonly held beliefs. Refer to experts and facts that can be supported and explained. You should not use “I.”

Types of Appeals

·                      Logos (Logical): This type of appeal uses inductive or deductive reasoning (conclusions drawn from inferences and facts) by citing statistics, facts, experts, and evidence. When using this type of argument, you offer your audience examples that are similar to this subject and convince them to draw the conclusion you want. How did you use this in Argument 3 above?

·                      Ethos (Ethical): This type of argument requires that you establish yourself (the author) as morally trustworthy and respectful of the audience. You do this by demonstrating that you have evaluated your topic through research, which establishes your credibility and moral reasoning on the subject. How did you use this in Argument 1 above?

·                      Pathos (Emotional): This is when you appeal to the emotions of your audience by describing in detail the effect of a particular situation. You should try to arouse a sense of pity, anger, fear, or other emotion in your audience. How did you use this in Argument 2 above?

After you have a meaningful understanding of Logos, ethos, and pathos you will be assigned one of the three forms of argumentation. Using that focus, type up an appropriate argument based on the Scenario B. You will be asked to jigsaw your argument and its specific characteristics to two other students.

Scenario B: You were going 40 mph in a 25mph zone in Tacoma. Once you are pulled over, the police officer informs you that she will be issuing you a ticket with a fine of $200. Using Logos, ethos or pathos, try to convince the officer to change her mind.