These men were caught stealing from the town square and were sentenced to death.

Being a merciful lord, the king decided to hold a competition. Considering the
kings busy schedule, each of the men would deliver quick pitch as to why their life
should be spared.

The king would save whoever he found most compelling and the other two would be
executed as planned. The men were given a few minutes to prepare the pitch of their
lives.

The first man walks up to the podium and says �Oh master, my master. I am not ready
for death. As king of the land, I know you have a big heart. Please find mercy in
your soul.�

The second man walks up to the podium and says �My king, I am a single father to
three beautiful little girls. If you kill me, they�ll grow up as orphans and are
likely to be exploited. Please let me keep this head, my lord.�

The third man walks up to the
you�I was attempting to steal
shortly after handing out tea
actually be saving two, and I
days.�
podium and says �King, the reason I stand before
medicine for my deathly-ill wife. She was bed ridden
at your winter ceremony. If you spare my life, you�ll
swear to be your dutiful servant for the rest of my

The king looks at the first man and goes �Off with his head.� Slice.

Brings his attention to the the second man and, �Off with him as well.� Slice.

The king looks at the third man and says �You�re free to go. I don�t expect you to
be my servant as I have many, but before you leave, I must know, was any of that
true?�

The man looks the king dead in the eyes and says, �Truth-tellers never tell lies,�
and calmly walks out.

Why did the king choose to spare the third man�s life? Was it just an arbitrary
decision? The third man was saved because he utilized all three of Aristotle�s
modes of persuasion.

The first man only appealed to ethos (ethics) by trying to leverage the king�s
authority figure and his penchant for compassion.

The second man appealed to ethos and pathos (emotion) by bringing up his children
and making a sentimental connection.

The third man used ethos, pathos and logos (logic). First, he indirectly blamed his
wife�s illness on the king to drum up guilt. Then, he uses reason to state not only
will the king be saving two lives, but he�ll be receiving a dutiful servant as a
result.

You may not be in a literal life or death situation, but if you can utilize this
devastating trifecta of persuasion tactics, you�ll likely win the room whether it�s
occupied by peasants or kings.