Interpretation of Ethos, Pathos, and Logos

¶ … encourage an audience that one's thoughts and concepts are effective, or more usable than someone else's. The Greek theorist Aristotle separated the means of influence, petitions, into three categories which are: Ethos, Pathos, Logos. The image interpreted in this essay, a lone figure pursuing a different path from the rest, with the caption: "My way…and no regrets…" is in a way a good representation of rhetorical strategies. One attempts to do things in such a way that enables others to follow suit or in the very least generates satisfaction.

This essay is meant to illuminate not only what the three categories of rhetorical strategies are, but also what it means when applied to persuasion through the use of four articles and a brief background and definition of each one. Ethos (Trustworthiness), or ethical appeal, means persuasion through the character of the writer or person. People believe those they respect or admire. One of the fundamental difficulties of argumentation is to convey an impression to the audience or reader that one is worthy of being heard or acknowledged.

The person then has to become, at least to the audience, an expert on the topic, and also come across as congenial and worthy of veneration. Many times politicians make an effort to highlight their ability to appear casual and approachable as well as seem well informed on their speech topics. This is to give the appearance of friendliness and competence. Pathos (Emotional) signifies persuasion through the appeal of the audience's emotions.

One can glance at texts extending from classic compositions to modern commercials to see how pathos, expressive appeals, are used to influence. Linguistic choice moves the audience's emotional reaction, and expressive appeal can efficiently be used to augment an argument. Logos (Logical) signifies persuasion through the use of reasoning. Logos is considered the most important technique and Aristotle's favorite. Logos involves inductive and deductive reasoning. In order to make an effective, persuasive argument as it pertains to logo, reason must be backed up with evidence and sound claims.

Giving reasons is the foundation of argumentation, and cannot be highlighted enough. Examining common logical fallacies, and providing legitimate sources allows for effective persuasion through logos. As one article expresses, societies are, in essence functional through certain beliefs, identities and actions: "Each society consists of a collective of people who have at least some feeling of belonging, share some societal beliefs, experience solidarity, coordinate some activities, and have a sense of common identity" (Bar-Tal & Oren, 2012).

Appealing to the audience keeping these aspects in mind can provide a better means of persuasion. Logos (Greek for 'word') denotes the internal uniformity of the message. Meaning, the transparency of the claim, the reason of its explanations, and the efficacy of its supportive evidence. The influence of logos on an audience is occasionally termed the argument's logical plea. To convey Ethos, one has to accomplish it through style and tone of the message along with how the speaker or writer discusses and references differing interpretations.

To convey pathos, one has to appeal to the audience by persuading the audience to identify with the speaker or writer's point-of-view. The audience then has to feel pain, imaginatively or sympathize with the writer or speaker. A narrative or story that turns constructs of logic into something profound and present is one of the best way to achieve an emotional appeal. The principles, beliefs, and sympathies of the writer are understood in the narrative and conveyed creatively to the reader. Connection is what most often is needed in arguing.

Providing that connection whether it is through a logical or emotional appeal, is necessary in order to present an effective argument. It must connect with societal beliefs and constructs. "These societal beliefs contribute to the sense of uniqueness of society members as being distinct from members of other societies, while they allow a psychological connection of society members to their own society" (Bar-Tal & Oren, 2012). Aristotle's Rhetoric is considered by some, a true understanding of emotion.

"In 1927 Heidegger claimed that there was hardly a better analysis of the emotions than Aristotle's account in book 2 of his Rhetoric" (Copeland, 2014, p. 96). And often, people use this book to understand arguing and persuasion. Many believe it as a means of beginning a better understanding of analysis of discussion. "The Rhetoric could serve as a catalyst acting upon two already familiar discourses, poetry and preaching, to tap their common potential as the key repositories of knowledge about audience emotions." (Copeland, 2014, p. 96).

As much as logos is considered the most important of the techniques, when looking at the image of the lone figure on the road, ethos comes to mind in relation to the "no regrets' mentality. Communicative artifacts such as images and other works of art can create ethos as discussed by Feinberg.

"Ethos explains how a particular audience is more or less likely to accept the interpretive frame that classification or collection inscribes on its contents…communicative artifacts can generate ethos despite lack of typical textual mechanisms, like linear narrative" (Feinberg, 2012, p. 329). Representation of character, of self, leads to no regrets in conveying a perspective because it provides a sense of individual identity. In order to truly express one's self and effectively persuade an audience, one has to represent his/her own character.

"Ethos, as originally articulated in Aristotle's Rhetoric, involves the speaker representing his own character (as sincere, virtuous, knowledgeable, authoritative, and so on), along with convincing character sketches of other political figures and of the audience itself" (Sutherland, 2013, p. 755). A person's ethos thus becomes an integral part of the argument. It represents the catalyst for the audience to become persuaded. A writer's ethos is fashioned principally by word selection and style. Inexperienced writers or speakers frequently have difficulties with ethos because they are requested to write essays, reports, and other categories.