Using Pathos and Logos

Using Pathos and Logos

Recall that the purpose of persuasive writing is

to convince the reader to agree with the point of
view or perspective of the author. Tools of
persuasion such as pathos and logos helps make
writing convincing.
 Using Pathos and Logos
While pathos appeals to the emotions of the reader, logos
appeals to reason and logic
The effective use of pathos allows the writer to connect
emotionally and to sway the latter to take the writer’s side.
Essential to pathos is language. When chosen carefully, words
can stir up powerful feelings in the reader and elicit the
emotional response intended by the writer
 Using Pathos and Logos
In one of his epistles, Horace (65 BC-8BC), revered as
one of the greatest Roman poets and also known for
his works of prose, expertly uses language and pathos
in declaring how country life is preferable to city life
 Using Pathos and Logos
If we must live suitably with nature, and a plot of ground is to be first
sought to raise a house upon, do you know any place preferable to the
blissful country? Is there any spot where the winters are more
temperate? Where a more agreeable breeze moderates the rage of the
Dog-star, and the season of the Lion, when once that furious sign has
received the scorching sun? Is there a place where envious care less
disturbs or slumbers? Is the grass inferior in smell or beauty to the
Libyan pebbles? Is the water, which strives to burst the lead in the
streets, purer than that which trembles in murmurs down its sloping
channel? Why, trees are nursed along the variegated columns [ of the
city ]; and that house is commended, which has a prospect of distant
fields. You may drive out nature with a fork, yet still she will return,
and insensibly victorious, will break through [ men’s ] improper
disgusts
 Using Pathos and Logos
Logos consists in supporting the writer’s stand
or position through sound evidence in the form
of examples, facts, statistics, or expert opinions.
In another epistles. Horace asserts how Homer
is a better philosopher than others. To support
his assertion. Horace cites evidence from
Homer’s epic
 Using Pathos and Logos
While you, great Lollius, declaim at Rome, I at Praeneste have perused over again the writer
of the Trojan war, the writer of the Trojan war; who teaches more clearly, and better than
Chrysippus and Crantor, what is honorable, what shameful, what profitable, what not so. If
nothing hinders you, here why I have thus concluded. The story is which, on account of Paris’
intrigue, Greece is started to be wasted in a tedious war with the barbarians, contains the
tumults of foolish princes and people. Aantenor gives his opinion for cutting off the cause of
war. What does Paris? He cannot be brought to comply, [though it be in order] that he may
reign safe, and live happy. Nestor ;labors to compose the differences between Achilles and
Agamemnon: love inflames one; rage both in common. The Greeks suffer for what their
princes act foolishly. Within the walls of Ilium, and without, enormities are committed by
sedition, treachery, injustice, and lust and rage
Again to show what virtue and what wisdom can do, he has propounded Ulysses and
instructive pattern: who, having subdued Troy wisely got an insight into the constitutions and
customs of many nations; and, while for himself and his associates he is contriving a return,
endured many hardships on the spacious sea, not to be sunk by all the waves of adversity

from
“Epistle II, To Lollius”