Zobel Eng 1A

WP #3 Peer FB 2

Your name:

Author's name:

Ethos, Pathos, and Logos...Oh my!

Ethos is appeal based upon the character of the speaker. As such,
the document's authority and power depend upon the author's
reputation.

Pathos is emotionally-based appeal. Images of starving children,

heroic soldiers rappelling out of helicopters, and Barbie clones
holding cold bottles of beer are all emotionally based appeals.
Think of God, Nation, and Flag and you have another set of
emotionally based appeals.

Logos is logic/reason driven appeal.

Ideally, an academic paper will be built upon LOGOS. Logic,

however, is not enough. The paper should also include appeals to
the emotions, PATHOS, as well as demonstrate the character and
authenticity of the speaker--ETHOS. In research and academic
papers, it would be erroneous to rely solely upon PATHOS. Don't
do it. No matter how good it feels or seems, don't do it.

Ethos is critical in establishing your credentials and authority--

this is why you cite your sources and include the names of
reputable authors and researchers in your paper. Doing these
things demonstrate to your academic audience that you not only
understand academic conventions, but that you also know how to
follow them. You are participating in academia with your research
paper--that is exactly what you want to do at this point. Buck
the system later--learn the system now.

Pathos is great for manipulating your readers, and that is why

advertisements use so much PATHOS. Academics do not want to read
advertisements, and they do not want to feel like the author is
treating them as unthinking or overly sentimental chumps. So
tread lightly with the emotions. When you use them, do so with
caution.
Part I: Uncovering Ethos, Pathos, and Logos.

1. Read the author's paper.

2. Reread the author's paper. As you read, bracket, underline, or
otherwise mark any occurrence of PATHOS. In the side column write
PATHOS.
3. Repeat step 2, but do it for ETHOS.
4. Repeat step 2, but do it for LOGOS.
5. Examine the paper. Which approach dominates the author's
paper: Ethos, Pathos, or Logos?

Part II: Balancing Ethos, Pathos, and Logos

In useful, specific, and constructive terms, indicate to the

reader how they could balance out the use of Ethos, Pathos, and
Logos in their paper.

Part III: Reflecting the Author's Ethos, Pathos, Logos

Which example of ETHOS most grabbed your attention? Why? Was it

effective?

Which example of PATHOS most grabbed your attention? Why? Was it

effective?

Which example of LOGOS most grabbed your attention? Why? Was it

effective?