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?