Elements of Persuasion in “Speech to the Virginia Convention” Ethos, Logos, Pathos Elements of Persuasion in “Speech to the Virginia Convention”

The Rhetorical Triangle We think of an argument as a triangle for a couple of reasons: A triangle gives a sense of interdependence. All three aspects of the argument play an equal part. A triangle is undivided; pathos, logos, and ethos are inseparable from one another and often blend together.

The Rhetorical Triangle cont. Logos: the appeal of the argument itself– its logic, its consistency, its reasonability Ethos: the argument’s appeal on basis of the speaker’s position Pathos: the argument’s appeal to the audience through emotion or shared values and beliefs

Logos Logos refers to the appeal of the argument itself: Are the claims reasonable? Does the evidence support the claims well? Does the speaker make logical conclusions? Does she or he address counter-arguments or other opinions and points of view?

Ethos Ethos can also be thought of as “authority” or “character.” Who a person is– their position, credentials, or how he or she presents herself of himself– creates ethos. A person’s point of view will give him or her stronger ethos in some cases, less strong in others. For example: Who has a stronger ethos in an argument about foreign affairs, the President, or a high school student? Why? Who has a stronger ethos in an argument about the psychology of young people, the President or a high school student? Why?

Ethos cont. Ethos, like all three parts of the rhetorical triangle, intermingles with the other two parts– a paper with a strong logos (consistency, logic) will also have a positive effect on the writer’s ethos.

Pathos Pathos refers to an appeal to the audience of an argument. An appeal to pathos can be emotional– moving an audience to anger or tears is a means of persuasion. An appeal to pathos can stem from: *Shared values between the speaker and audience *An argument that caters to an audience’s beliefs

What’s the Point? To show that pathos, ethos, and logos work together to form credible and effective arguments… Where do you see pathos and logos in “Speech to the Virginia Convention?”