Analyzing Rhetorical Appeals
Definition - How does the writer use this strategy to achieve her purpose?
Ethos:
Ethical appeals establish the credibility and goodwill of the author or of the sources used to support an argument. Questions to ask yourself: Where and how does the author explain her related background or establish the credibility of the sources used?
Pathos:
Emotional appeals draw on the readers' emotional response to the subject and on shared beliefs and values. Questions to ask yourself: Where does the author use language and/or create images that are emotionally charged?
Logos:
Logical appeals use reasoning and evidence to support an argument. Logical appeals draw on facts, statistics, and research to reach conclusions. Questions to ask yourself:
Where and how does the author use evidence? What kinds of evidence are used? How does the author interpret the evidence?