Close Reading in the Secondary Classroom by Flygare Jeff;

Author:Flygare, Jeff;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Marzano Resources
Published: 2018-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

The Three Appeals

There are three methods the author may use to make his or her case to the audience. These methods are called “the three appeals” or logos, ethos, and pathos (according to Aristotle). They can apply to any text, informational or literary, though the descriptions below are confined to informational texts since they are commonly taught that way.

A logos appeal is an argument from facts and authority. The word logos is related to the word logic, and a logos appeal will offer a carefully constructed series of claims and supporting evidence that presents a clear, reasonable argument. Any reader who understands logic should be able to follow and agree with the argument. Typically, the evidence is solid and researchable. There may be a wide range of possible sources of evidence, including the opinions of experts in the field, commonly held beliefs of the society, and so forth. Students typically understand the structure of a logos argument since they are taught the basic tenets of it as they learn to write persuasive essays, which are essentially logos arguments.

An ethos appeal argues from the ethical position, an argument more in the world of ought than is. The writer of an ethos argument must first and foremost be credible, and it must be clear that for the field, he or she is an acknowledged expert. Also, the writer must support a position that is in the best interests of his or her audience. Ethos arguments may support the author’s claims with evidence from commonly held values of the audience including, but not limited to, theological works, legal works, and so forth.

A pathos argument appeals to emotions. The author connects with the interests (and therefore the emotions) of his or her audience. The claims tug at emotions, not just pity and sympathy, but also pride, joy, patriotism, and the entire range of human feelings. It may appear the evidence is less solid at times in a pathos argument than in a logos argument, but it does not mean that a pathos argument is less valid or less effective. Emotions are powerful in persuasion.

When students are first introduced to the three appeals, teachers often present writing samples that exemplify one specific appeal. This is useful as students work to attain the concept of each appeal, but it should not suggest that writers pick one appeal and stick exclusively to that appeal throughout their text. Nor should readers look for a logos section of an argument and then a pathos section. The appeals work together, and some of the best arguments will access the power of all three appeals.

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