Logical, Ethical, and Emotional Argumentation

992 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: ethical reasoning essay lib 100

Many people and organizations use writing and visual methods to persuade readers to their view. In such pieces, the author will use many different tricks and appeals in order to draw the reader to his or her train of thought. According to Andrea Lunsford in her instructional book The Everyday Writer, these appeals can be broken down into three main types – logical, emotional and ethical. A logical argument uses facts, statistics and surveys to back up what the author is saying and is commonly referred to as logos. An ethical argument is one that tries to build up the authors characters and prove to the reader that the author is qualified to give his or her views on the topic at hand. Ethical arguments are commonly called ethos. Finally, the most effective (and possibly misleading) appeal is emotional. Pathos, as it’s commonly called, is achieved by simply appealing to emotions or making the problem more ‘human’ (Lundsford 115-116). Any sort of persuasive piece, be it an essay, a video, or an editorial; employs ethos, pathos, and logos to try to prove its point.

“The Torture Myth” is a short anti-torture essay written by journalist Anne Applebaum four years after the September 11th, 2001 attacks and before the Senate vote on the nomination of pro-torture Alberto Gonzales for Attorney General. Applebaum does not directly use ethos in her essay; however, a short bibliographical passage in The Seagull Reader shows that she is more than qualified to write on the issue. Applebaum’s use of logos is sparse and flawed. While Applebaum uses first hand testimony from men experienced in ‘aggressive interrogation tactics,’ she tries to use two men to express the opinion of interrogators in the entire United States Army. Furthermore, Appleba...

... middle of paper ...

... their points and hit home with the reader. These appeals can either bolster an argument and provide much need support or work as thin stilts to make an argument look bigger than it really is. Regardless of the writer’s intention, the effective deployment of ethos, pathos, and logos can transform a work from unsupported opinion to a masterpiece of persuasion.

Works Cited

Applebaum, Anne. “The Torture Myth.” The Seagull Reader: Essays. Ed. Joseph Kelly. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2008. 35-38. Print.

Lousiana Right to Life. “2011 Louisiana Life March Promo Video (Louisiana March for Life.)” 31 Oct. 2010. YouTube. 5 Feb. 2011.

Lundsford, Andrea A, Paul Matsuda, and Christine Tardy. The Everyday Writer. 4th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2009. Print.

Bartlett, Steve. “Overregulation Hurts Economy.” Editorial. USA Today 10 Feb. 2010:7A. Print.

Show More
Related

  • Ethos Pathos, And Logos

    1039 Words  | 3 Pages

    For some, an argument may be a discussion that leads people to become mad and feel hate towards someone. This also might bring tension, between friends and family, but there’re times when people just want to discuss a topic that they feel would make the conflict better or resolved. When an argument happens, it’s recommended to use Aristotle’s Rhetorical Triangle. It is here that Aristotle set’s up three ways to appeal to the audience, which are ethos, pathos, and logos. These three appeals help the writer to persuade, inform, or convince the audience that what he/she is doing the right thing. Without Aristotle’s Rhetorical Triangle and Aims of Arguments, the writer would unsuccessfully perform an argument correctly. If creditability of the

    Read More

  • Ethos Pathos Logo Analysis

    547 Words  | 2 Pages

    There are three methods of persuasion when speaking or writing to an audience: Ethos, Logos, and Pathos. Ethos uses a type of socially recognized authority as its voice. Logos uses logic and reasoning as its tool. Lastly, Pathos uses emotional attachment. For instance, the advertising industry primarily utilizes Ethos and Pathos reasoning and qualities, particularly a Matthew Mcconaughey Lincoln Motor Company commercial, and a Safe driving bonus check Ally Insurance commercial.

    Read More

  • The Techniques of Persuasion in W.J. Reeves’ “College Isn’t For Everyone”

    1726 Words  | 4 Pages

    Effectively communicating an idea or opinion requires several language techniques. In his study of rhetoric, Aristotle found that persuasion was established through three fundamental tools. One is logos, which is used to support an argument through hard data and statistics. Another is ethos, which is the credibility of an author or speaker that allows an audience to conclude from background information and language selection a sense of knowledge and expertise of the person presenting the argument. The impact of pathos, however, is the most effective tool in persuasion due to the link between emotions and decisions. Although each of these tools can be effective individually, a combination of rhetorical devices when used appropriately has the ability to sway an audience toward the writer’s point of view.

    Read More

  • Henry David Thoreau's Civil Disobedience and Martin Luther King's Letter from Birmingham Jail

    817 Words  | 2 Pages

    In persuasive essays, appeals represent significant, rhetorical factors that rate the effectiveness of impact. Although Thoreau applies ethos, logos, and pathos in his essay, his writing lacks able organization, which affects the presentation and efficiency of his appeals. They lose their influence amidst Thoreau’s philosophical ranting. King, on the other hand, cons...

    Read More

  • How Does Anthony Use Ethos In Julius Caesar

    809 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Shakespeare’s play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, pathos, logos and ethos are evidently and effectively used to persuade the audience into believing Caesar was not ambitious and that he was an innocent man. Throughout the speech the citizens were easily persuaded, but Anthony’s intellectual speeches made the audience question and imagine what they have turned into. Anthony used these three rhetorical appeals to win back the citizens just like many people do today. The power of pathos, logos and ethos in a speech can change one mind in an instant and if successfully used can change a mind to be fully persuaded without confusion.

    Read More

  • Ethos Pathos In Miss Emily

    1197 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout learning about all writing, the main achievement of any work or essay is to capture the audience and let them see any subject through the lens of what the author desires. To achieve this goal, one may use tools known as ethos, credibility of the author to the reader, logos, appeal to reasoning, and pathos, appeal to the audience 's emotions. A combination of all three of these elements creates an argument-like format which conveys a very convincing point, or thesis to the reader. Over practicing my writing my entire life I have always used these elements in my work, although, I was not aware completely of their proper usage. Throughout this year I have grown vastly as a writer through more precise control of and thesis with a linked analysis as well as consciously using the elements of pathos, logos, and ethos to most efficiently convey my thesis.

    Read More

  • The Phenomenology Of On-Screen Reading By Ellen Rose

    1075 Words  | 3 Pages

    In regards to her pathos persuasions she uses detailed and emotion-packed quotes in order to provoke her audience’s emotions. When it comes to her ethos persuasions, she uses them intermittently throughout her article by referencing her job title as an instructor and clearly establishing her themes and goals of the article in order to create a credible and dependable persona for her audience. Last but surely not least, Ellen Roses utilizes logos persuasions in order to influence her readers in a way that they understand her writing and logically believe what she is

    Read More

  • Ian Crouch'so Are We Living In 1984?

    282 Words  | 1 Pages

    Dershowitz, Alan. “ The Case for Torture Warrants.” The Student Writer, Barbara Clouse, McGraw Hill,2008, pp. 469-471. In the article by Alan Dershowitz “ The Case for Torture Warrants,”

    Read More

  • Michael Levin's The Case for Torture

    981 Words  | 2 Pages

    In “The Case for Torture,” Michael Levin presents logical fallacies that originate at the authors desire to relate the importance of his message. Though his specific argument is a very plausible solution to a taboo problem, the manner in which he presents it has some fallacies that cause it to be unsupported

    Read More

  • The Iliad Rhetorical Analysis And Persuasion

    1710 Words  | 4 Pages

    Every day we are victims to persuasion whether anyone can notice it or not. Logos, pathos and ethos are the types of persuasion. Logos persuades by reason, pathos by appealing to emotion and ethos by the credibility of the author. The characters in The Iliad employ the use of these techniques to sway another character into doing or feeling something else.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay: Is Torture Justified?

    725 Words  | 2 Pages

    Is the intentional pain that an individual experiences justified if there is the potential to save the lives of many? Torture is the most used weapon in the “war against terrorism” but does it work? The purpose of this essay is to identify what the motives for torturing are, the effectiveness of torture, and important issues with the whole process of torture.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of A Fitness Gym Club

    1186 Words  | 3 Pages

    discussed the rhetorical skills in the writing styles and analysis. The main components of this learning was to be able to differentiate and understand the ethos, logos, and pathos appeals associated with the particular feeling and help develop understanding. Using the ethos, logos, and pathos appeals the writers and speakers can convince their readers to some image or understanding regarding the group or association. Every one of us is associated with different discourse communities that have different specialties and meaning. Everyone must have to learn the ways the communities interact with their members and how the communities understand a person from outside the community. Being outside from the community there is need to learn regarding

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Crevecoeur's Letters From An American Farmer

    1102 Words  | 3 Pages

    By appealing so much to pathos, his letter focuses more on emotionally convincing and persuading the reader to accept his claim, rather than providing facts and logic to his argument. His combined use of logos and ethos also adds an aspect of logic and reason to his argument, as well as further showing his credibility and connection to the subject as the author. His use of the three rhetorical devices helps to bolster and support his claim, while also personalizing and connecting with the

    Read More

  • Rhetoric Making Sense Of Human Interaction And Meaning-Making Summary

    436 Words  | 1 Pages

    It is obvious that literacy contributes to success (logos), that the more fortunate should help people in necessity because it’s the right thing to do (ethos), and that emotion needs to be brought before the eyes in some occasions (pathos) so the audience can be persuaded. Furthermore, the reviewers needed to identify with the writers and everyone else that was a member of the rhetorical ecology. The author wrote this to help readers and writers understand some basic rhetorical principles as they continue to study rhetoric. This argument matters because most people tend to be confused on what rhetoric is and how it should be applied to writing. The author seems to agree with readers and writers on rhetoric being considered confusing but also disagrees with them by stating that rhetoric can be quite simple if elements are used appropriately. A term I came across was pisteis, which is pathos, ethos and logos, elements that can be used in persuasion. Another term I came across was pervasive: widespread of a thing throughout people or an

    Read More

  • At The Mind’s Limits

    1583 Words  | 4 Pages

    “If one speaks about torture, one must take care not to exaggerate,” Jean Améry view of torture comes from a place of uneasiness (22). He discusses in his book At The Mind’s Limits, about the torture that he underwent while a prisoner in Auschwitz. In his chapter titled “Torture”, he goes into deep description of not only the torture he endured, but also how that torture never leaves a person. Améry goes to great lengths to make sure that the torture he speaks of is accurate and as he says on page 22, not exaggerated.

    Read More

More about Logical, Ethical, and Emotional Argumentation

Open Document