1. Argument: Ethos, Pathos, Logos
Mr. Eagan
English 110

2. All arguments exist in a rhetorical situation

3. What is a Rhetorical Situation?
Rhetoric: Using language effectively to persuade, inform, educate, or entertain
Rhetorical Situation: The circumstances in which you communicate.

4. Factors which can affect an author’s writing:
Age
Experiences
Gender
Location
Political Beliefs
Parents And Peers
Education
So, in order to construct better argument and understand the arguments of other, it’s essential to understand what composes an argument.

5. Audience: To Whom are you Writing?
Many of the same factors which affect the writer also affect the audience
Age
Social class
Education
Past experience
Culture/subculture
Expectations

6. Context The “situation” which generates the need for writing
Affected by the
Time period or timing
Location
Current events
Cultural significance

7. Purpose: Your Reason For Writing

8. What this means…
You need to be aware that a rhetorical situation exists every time you write and every time you read.
You need to adapt your writing as well as your analysis and use of sources depending on your purpose and your audience.

9. Introduction to Argument
All arguments must contain two parts:
Claim or premises*
Support

10. Introduction to Argument
CLAIM: States the issue and takes a position on a debatable topic (usually takes the form of a THESIS STATEMENT in a written argument)
SUPPORT: Facts, evidence, reasons, examples put together w/ logical reasoning and critical thinking

11. Introduction to Argument
Develop and refine your thesis/argument.
Do this by asking yourself questions about your chosen topic. (?)
Using precise language and establishing a clear position will help both you and your readers. (?)

12. Topics Commercials for weight loss pills on television
Taxing new cars according to their mileage
Athletes’ use of steroids and performance-enhancing drugs
Requiring students to undertake volunteer or community service

13. Introduction to Argument
Persuasive Appeals:
Ethos - Establishes the writer/speaker as a credible/(ethical or moral) person.
Pathos - Appeals to an audience’s values and beliefs through emotion/empathy.
Logos - The use of sound reasoning or logic.

14. Qualities of Ethos Demonstrating knowledge Establishing common ground
Demonstrating fairness
Ethical fallacies: ad hominem, guilt by association

15. Examples
Ethos - “I am a husband, a father, and a taxpayer. I have served on the school board for 20 years. I deserve your vote for city council.”
Such an appeal attempts to persuade by calling attention to the writer’s/speaker’s character. It says in effect: I’m a great person so you should believe what I’m telling you. Ethos does not concern the veracity of the argument, only its appeal. (I am a credible speaker.) (?)

16. Qualities of Pathos Using description and concrete language
Using figurative language (metaphors, similes, analogies)
Shaping appeal to audience
Emotional fallacies: bandwagon appeal, flattery, in-crowd appeal, veiled threats, loaded language, false analogies

17. Examples
Pathos - “ Government-run healthcare will have ‘death squads’ to decide which citizens will live and which will die.”
Such an appeal attempts to persuade by stirring the emotions of the audience and attempts to create any number of emotions like fear, sadness, contentment, joy, and pride. Pathos does not concern the veracity of the argument, only its appeal. (QA pg. 88) (?)

18. Qualities of Logos Providing examples and precedents
Citing authority and testimony
Establishing causes and effects
Using inductive and deductive reasoning
Logical fallacies: begging the question, post hoc, non sequiter, false dichotomy, hasty generalization, oversimplification

19. Examples
Logos - “All humans are mortal. You are a human. Therefore, you are mortal.”
This is called a syllogism. Logical arguments take this form through the use of rhetorical devices like process analysis, comparison/contrast, cause/effect, etc. (?)

20. Examples
Logos - “Some politicians are corrupt. Therefore, Senator Jones may be corrupt.”
This is called an enthymeme. It is like a syllogism but the conclusion is based on inference rather than evidence. The syllogism leads to a necessary conclusion from universally true premises, and the enthymeme leads to a tentative conclusion from probable premises.

21. When Reading for Ethos Note how the author establishes a persona
Note how the author establishes credibility
Note any revelation of the author’s credentials or personal history.

22. When Reading for Pathos
Note the primary audience for the text
Note the emotional appeals the author makes
Note the author’s expectations of the audience.

23. When Reading for Logos Note the claims the author makes.
Note the data the author provides in support of the claims.
Note the conclusion the author draws

24. When using Ethos, ask yourself
Have I established a credible persona?
Have I established my credibility?
Have I expressed my knowledge and expertise of the topic?

25. When using Pathos, ask yourself
Have I considered the primary audience and the type of background they have?
Does my audience agree with me or will I have to persuade them of the validity of my argument?
How will I make my paper appeal to my audience?

26. When using Logos, ask yourself
Have I established the purpose for my text?
Have I established a clear, reasonable, and logical progression of my ideas?
Have I addressed opposing arguments or perspectives?

27. Toulmin Logic
CLAIM: a variation of a thesis statement. If needed, the claim is qualified or limited
SUPPORT: reasons or evidence, moving from broad reasons to specific data and details, support the claim
WARRANTS: The writer’s underlying assumptions, which are often implied rather than stated. Warrants may also need support.

28. Toulmin Model
Bakersfield College should establish an honor code. Last semester, more than 50 students were caught cheating on exams.

29. Example Claim: Bakersfield College should establish an honor code.
Support: Last semester, more than 50 students were caught cheating on exams.
Warrants: A) Enough students cheat on exams that the college should address the problem
B) Cheating should be prevented
C) Students would not have cheated if there was an honor code.

30. Applying what you’ve learned
The college should raise student tuition and fees. The football stadium is in such poor repair that the coach is having trouble recruiting players
The college should require all students to own laptop computers. Most students will have to use computers in their jobs after graduation
Vote against raising our taxes. In the past two years, we have already had a 2% tax increase.