Summary of “THE FIRST PART OF RHETORIC”

importance of persuasion

three persuasive appeals identified by Aristotle.

talks about the importance of understanding your audience when trying to persuade them and
not simply presenting a logical argument.

three persuasive appeals can vary depending on the audience one is presenting to.

Persuasion is a complex art that requires careful thought and planning and thus identified
three different lines of argument, or persuasive appeal, i.e. Ethos, Logos and Pathos as
described below.

Ethos is an appeal to the speaker's character or credibility.

-establishing a connection with the audience

by demonstrating knowledge and expertise on the topic,

being honest and trustworthy,

appearing sincere and passionate, and

connecting with the audience on a personal level.

Logos is an appeal to reason. It involves using logical arguments and evidence to persuade
the audience.

not about absolute proof but about presenting a case that is likely to be persuasive to
the audience.

It can be used in a variety of ways, such as using syllogisms and enthymemes,

analogies, and commonplaces.

The effectiveness of a logo depends on various factors, such as the audience, the
topic, and the speaker's ability to present a clear and persuasive argument.

Pathos is an appeal to emotion, such as sympathy, anger, or fear, to persuade them.

taps into the audience's emotional needs and desires. It can be used through vivid
language and imagery to evoke emotions, telling stories that elicit emotions, using humor, or
using appeals to fear or anger to motivate the audience. Passage discusses the use of vivid
language and imagery in the advertising of sad-eyed puppies and bedraggled kittens and the
use of humor in the speeches of stand-up comedians.

The key takeaway from the passage for me is the emphasis on audience understanding and
tailoring your message accordingly, rather than solely concentrating on the words themselves
without considering their impact on the audience.
In summary, the passage provides a good overview of 3 distinct elements: appeal to the
speaker's character or credibility, reason and emotion, and how there is a need to understand
the topic, the audience, and the needs of the audience to make a good presentation. All 3
appeals are often used in conjunction with each other, as the speaker may use logos to present
logical arguments or use pathos to appeal to the audience's emotions and provide a
encompassing presentation.