I feel so emotional.

pathos  When you make an argument, you usually do not stick to simple logic. Sometimes being reasonable and convincing is not enough to win a battle. You often use an emotional appeal (also called pathos ) to make your point. Other kinds of appeals in an argument are ethos (character or ethics) and logos (logic or reason). For this essay, we are going to try using the pathos mode of persuasion in our concluding paragraphs.

 In any persuasive essay, it is important to consider any appropriate emotional appeals that might strengthen an argument.  For example, in an essay about gun control, using a story about a child who was severely injured by gun violence appeals to the emotions of the audience more strongly than citing statistics on gun violence would. Even though statistics can show the extent to which gun violence harms our entire society, the audience can make a personal connection with the child’s story and might feel sympathy and sadness if the story is descriptive and convincing.  Telling a story or having the audience imagine a scenario is a method of using pathos. Advertisements often use pathos or emotional appeals to convince readers to buy their products.  Can you think of any?

 LIFE ALERT: AcEqGW0 AcEqGW0  Dear Sophie: VHijdQk VHijdQk

1. What emotions did you feel while watching these commercials? 2. What strategies did each commercial use to make you feel the way you felt?  Life Alert  Dear Sophie

 In your “The Tell Tale Heart” essay, consider ways in which you might use an emotional appeal in your conclusion to win over your audience. Could you have them put themselves in the shoes of the terrified old man? Or describe the unstable mental state of the narrator in a way that makes him seem sympathetic? Take some time to brainstorm emotional appeals for your paper. It will strengthen your argument!! Confused?