Logos, Pathos,

& Ethos:
An Intro to
Argument
B Y TAY L O R W E B B
What is an Argument?
 An argument presents a reason or set of reasons given with the aim
of persuading others that an action or idea is right or wrong.

 Arguments can be also be an exchange of diverging or opposite

views.

 Arguing is not always a heated discussion.

 The true heart of arguing stems from reasoning, or persuading,

someone to believe something.
 How do I argue?
 Arguing is a skill that can be perfected using different techniques,
methods, and avoiding certain pitfalls.

 An argument is a construction of different logical ideas and

philosophies, resulting in a premise that one can evaluate the truth
of.

 A typical argument uses Logos, Ethos, and Pathos, derived from

the Greek philosopher, Aristotle.
 LOGOS
Definition: (Greek) Reasoned discourse, a strong logical appeal. This is building an argument step by step
with proof.

Examples: Statistics, references to studies, comparisons/contrasts, structure of the argument (beginning,

middle, end), rationality. When people use logical structure to their arguments, this is an example of logos.

Related Words: Logic, Analogy, Apology, Epilogue, Logbook, Dialog

 ETHOS
Definition: (Greek) Customer or Character, credibility. This is using a person’s credibility as a person in an
argument.

Examples: A writing professor having her PhD in Language and Writing can argue that she has ethos, or
credibility, in teaching a writing class. A chef with 20 years of experience cooking can use ethos to argue
they know how to run a kitchen well.

Related Words: Ethics, Ethnics, Ethology, Ethnocentricity, Ether

PATHOS
Definition: (Greek) Evoking emotion or experience, strong feelings of suffering or passion, used to sway an
audience emotionally.

Examples: Pathos can be seen in pet commercials where they want you to donate money to animal shelters
with sad music playing. Pathos can also be seen in very happy wedding scenes. It’s where they are strong
uses of emotion used for reactions.

Related Words: Empathy, Sympathy, Pathetic, Pathological, Apathetic, Sociopath

Argument Triangle!
Logos – Logic!

ELEMENTS
OF
ARGUMENT

Ethos - Credibility Pathos - Emotion