Running head: “Self-Esteem” 1

Topic Proposal:

“Self-Esteem”

Aaron J Ochoa

The University of Texas at El Paso

RWS 1301

Dr. Viera

3/1/2019
“Self-Esteem” 2

Abstract

This paper has no abstract.

Introduction

The world of academic research is permeated with the notion that appealing to one’s

target audience is what makes the work in question both plausible and convincing. Drawing upon

the models and observations of the three main rhetorical appeals made by William Covino and

David Jolliffe in their work entitled “Rhetoric: Concepts, Definitions, Boundaries”, the

reflections on Christopher Mruk’s studies on self-esteem made herein will serve to illustrate the

clear and obvious impact that rhetorical appeals have on research.

Ethos

The use of ethos in rhetoric, as described by Covino and Jolliffe (1995), is one that

illustrates the “good character and consequent credibility of the rhetor” in order to make an

appeal. One very succinct and traditional example of ethical appeal in rhetoric is the address line

or byline, which serves to demonstrate the rhetor’s affiliations and activities that amount to

“virtue” in an academic context, via a brief paragraph at the beginning of the author’s work

(p.337). Such introductory paragraphs are found in abundance within the world of scholarly

research. Christopher Mruk’s inclusion of an opening biographic statement (1999), one that

showcases his academic background and experience in the world of psychological studies,

implies an obvious display of credibility to supplement his research and is inherently ethos.

Seeing that both appeal to rational thought, both ethical and logical appeals can often be

observed being used in conjunction with each other.

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Logos

Per Covino & Jolliffe’s interpretation of the nature of the logos appeal (1995), the rhetor

follows an inherently logical approach to formulating an argument described as “thought plus

action”, beginning with the invocation of a common assumption, supplemented with some form

of tangible data (case studies, statistics, authority on a given subject, etc.…) and cemented with

the author’s claim about the thesis/central idea (p.340). Christopher Mruk does so in much the

same way. In an effort to demonstrate the relevance of researching self-esteem, Mruk asserts the

fact that the concept of self-esteem retains a significant position in the study and understanding

of social dynamics and human behavior (1999). He backs up the claim with cited evidence from

an external source (an observation on self-esteem and its psychosocial implications), providing

Mruk with ample evidence to warrant his initial assertion (p.3). The models provided by these

authors serve as evidence to demonstrate the impact that rhetorical appeals have on research, as

the Logos process they outline is the basis for reasoning and logical appeals in their findings.

Pathos

“An effective text will somehow activate or draw upon the sympathies and emotions of

the auditors, causing them to attend to and accept its ideas, propositions, or calls for action”

(Covino & Jolliffe 1995). Using Pathos effectively in any rhetorical context requires knowledge

of one’s target audience and the range of emotions commonly associated with said demographic

(p.338). In the case of a clinical research project like “Self Esteem”, however, little effort is made

to appeal to the emotional when asserting claims. Professional academic writing does not allow

for much harping on “pathetic” concepts, rather opting to take a very logic-based approach to

creating appeals that is heavily based around both credibility and reasoning. While the use of
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pathos is not usually exhibited in the appeal of the academic research report, its importance to

rhetoric should not be discounted, as a solid knowledge of one’s target audience is critical to

employing the use of pathetic appeal effectively.

Audience

The audience of Christopher Mruk’s “Self-Esteem”, much like himself, is composed of

professionals in the world of psychological studies. This is reflected in his presentation of

various psychologically oriented theories related to his chosen subject matter; he describes the

concept of “the self” as “being intrinsic to the individual and unfolding over time” (p.36). His

portrayal of the concept of self is clearly intended for an audience that should be well

familiarized with the psychological implications such a theory presents.

Conclusion

Platonic Rhetoric, in the context of research studies, is characterized as an extensive

display of credibility, logic, and knowledge of one’s target demographic. Mruk’s use of the three

main rhetorical appeals served to further facilitate perhaps the most critical part of the research

process: evaluation by one’s audience. The appeals of Ethos, Pathos and Logos form an integral

segment of rhetorical composition; they each serve as a unique basis for demonstrating the

“importance” of a topic to the reader in a rhetorical sense. It is through analyzing the models

presented by Covino, Jolliffe, and Mruk that the writing process can be better outlined and the

role that rhetorical appeals play in research made clearer.

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Bibliography

Covino, W., & Jolliffe, D. A. (1995). Rhetoric: Concepts, Definitions, Boundaries. College

Composition and Communication, 46(3), 457. doi:10.2307/358722

Mruk, C. J. (1999). Self-esteem: Research, theory, and practice. New York: Springer Pub.