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CHARACTER
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LOGIC
RHETORICAL
APPEALS
BY CHARMAINE MACAPIA
OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, the students shall be able to
a. define ethos, pathos, and logos
b. apply ethos, pathos, and logos in writing
c. distinguish ethos, pathos, and logos from each other
RHETORICAL APPEALS
 Rhetorical appeals are the qualities of an argument
that make it truly persuasive. To make a convincing
argument, a writer appeals to the reader in several
ways. Aristotle explains in his book "On Rhetoric" his
theories on persuasive language: Ethos, Pathos, and
Logos
MODE OF PERSUASION

ETHOS PATHOS LOGOS

 Ethos is a Greek word meaning
‘character’. In terms of persuasive
language, it is an appeal to authority
and credibility.

ETHOS Example:
 Having written ten successful novels
myself, I can tell you that this book is worth
buying.
 My friend, who has a PhD in nutritional
science, says that we should eat fewer
carbohydrates.
How you can incorporate ethos?
You can openly remind your audience who you are
and why you are an authority on the subject. (e.g. “As
a teacher, I believe that...” )
You can establish credibility by just using correct
grammar and language.
 Pathos is a Greek word meaning
‘suffering’ or ‘experience’, and it is
used in persuasive speech as an appeal
to the emotions of the audience.

PATHOS Example:
 If you don’t buy this book, you lost one
important strategy to pass the board
examination for teachers.
 You have been poorly treated. You have
been taken advantage of. Now is the time to
take action.
How you can incorporate pathos?
You can use descriptive language and imagery,
which evokes emotions.
You can identify values / emotions which relate
particularly to your audience, and play on them.
You can use personal stories to appeal to the
sympathies and emotions of your audience.
 Logos is a Greek word meaning ‘a
word’ or ‘reason’. In rhetoric, it is an
appeal to logic and reason.

Example:
LOGOS  You don’t need to jump in front of a train
to know it’s a bad idea; so why do you need
to try drugs to know if they’re damaging?
We have conducted the experiment 57
times and we get the same results every
single time.
How you can incorporate pathos?
You can use research and statistics to back up your
arguments.
You can use logical processes to explain your point
– ‘if this… then that...’
You must give convincing, solid evidence and
reasons to support your claims.
ACTIVITY
INSTRUCTION: For each of the following statements, identify whether ethos, pathos, or
logos is used, and explain your reasoning.

STATEMENT MODE
1. “Just eat and don’t complain. Children in Africa are starving and would give
anything to have that plate of food.”

2.“All men and women will die. You are a man. Therefore, you will die one
day.”
3. “I have been a teacher for 35 years and I can tell you that the key to a
child’s heart is patience.”
4. “We have been mistreated, abused and oppressed. They have benefited
from our suffering and we must act now!”

5. “Cigarette smoke contains over 4,800 chemicals, 69 of which are known to

cause cancer. So why start smoking?”
ACTIVITY
INSTRUCTION: For each of the following statements, identify whether ethos, pathos, or
logos is used, and explain your reasoning.

STATEMENT MODE
1. “Just eat and don’t complain. Children in Africa are starving and would give
anything to have that plate of food.” PATHOS
2. “All men and women will die. You are a man. Therefore, you will die one
day.”
3. “I have been a teacher for 35 years and I can tell you that the key to a
child’s heart is patience.”
4. “We have been mistreated, abused and oppressed. They have benefited
from our suffering and we must act now!”

5. “Cigarette smoke contains over 4,800 chemicals, 69 of which are known to

cause cancer. So why start smoking?”
ACTIVITY
INSTRUCTION: For each of the following statements, identify whether ethos, pathos, or
logos is used, and explain your reasoning.

STATEMENT MODE
1. “Just eat and don’t complain. Children in Africa are starving and would give
anything to have that plate of food.” PATHOS
2. “All men and women will die. You are a man. Therefore, you will die one
day.” LOGOS
3. “I have been a teacher for 35 years and I can tell you that the key to a
child’s heart is patience.”
4. “We have been mistreated, abused and oppressed. They have benefited
from our suffering and we must act now!”

5. “Cigarette smoke contains over 4,800 chemicals, 69 of which are known to

cause cancer. So why start smoking?”
ACTIVITY
INSTRUCTION: For each of the following statements, identify whether ethos, pathos, or
logos is used, and explain your reasoning.

STATEMENT MODE
1. “Just eat and don’t complain. Children in Africa are starving and would give
anything to have that plate of food.” PATHOS
2. “All men and women will die. You are a man. Therefore, you will die one
day.” LOGOS
3. “I have been a teacher for 35 years and I can tell you that the key to a
child’s heart is patience.” ETHOS
4. “We have been mistreated, abused and oppressed. They have benefited
from our suffering and we must act now!”

5. “Cigarette smoke contains over 4,800 chemicals, 69 of which are known to

cause cancer. So why start smoking?”
ACTIVITY
INSTRUCTION: For each of the following statements, identify whether ethos, pathos, or
logos is used, and explain your reasoning.

STATEMENT MODE
1. “Just eat and don’t complain. Children in Africa are starving and would give
anything to have that plate of food.” PATHOS
2. “All men and women will die. You are a man. Therefore, you will die one
day.” LOGOS
3. “I have been a teacher for 35 years and I can tell you that the key to a
child’s heart is patience.” ETHOS
4. “We have been mistreated, abused and oppressed. They have benefited
from our suffering and we must act now!” PATHOS
5. “Cigarette smoke contains over 4,800 chemicals, 69 of which are known to
cause cancer. So why start smoking?”
ACTIVITY
INSTRUCTION: For each of the following statements, identify whether ethos, pathos, or
logos is used, and explain your reasoning.

STATEMENT MODE
1. “Just eat and don’t complain. Children in Africa are starving and would give
anything to have that plate of food.” PATHOS
2. “All men and women will die. You are a man. Therefore, you will die one
day.” LOGOS
3. “I have been a teacher for 35 years and I can tell you that the key to a
child’s heart is patience.” ETHOS
4. “We have been mistreated, abused and oppressed. They have benefited
from our suffering and we must act now!” PATHOS
5. “Cigarette smoke contains over 4,800 chemicals, 69 of which are known to
cause cancer. So why start smoking?” LOGOS
For each of the following situations, write your own persuasive sentence(s) using
ethos, pathos or logos. You may use more than one mode per sentence, but you must
use all of them at least once at some point in the exercise. Identify which mode(s) is
implemented in each item.

1. You are trying to persuade your teacher not to give you homework on the weekend.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________- Rhetorical Appeal
2. The campus administrator has canceled the valentine celebration. You are trying to persuade
him/her to reconsider his/her decision.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________- Rhetorical Appeal
3. You are attempting to persuade your parents to allow you to attend the concert of your
favorite band/artist or play for your favorite NBA team.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________- Rhetorical Appeal