In persuasive writing, there are many ways to get readers to lean towards your side. The three biggest methods in this practice include Ethos, Pathos, and Logos. I have selected several excerpts from various articles to examine these three methods in action. The topic of choice was adopting children.
Ethos = Believably of the article and trust in the author based on their integrity.
“My birthmother gave me up not because she didn't love me, but because she couldn't provide for me in the way that she wanted to. So she gave me to my parents, who deeply wanted a child, and could care for me and spoiled me (in a good way!). I was taken care of, and that of course made my birthmother happy. It was a win/win/win situation, really.”
This excerpt is a prime example of ethos because the author has first hand experience. They have gone through this process and they know personally how it effects a person. Therefore, their argument is very reliable, but also very specific, and may be too personal for some peoples' tastes.
Pathos = Persuasion based on emotional manipulation geared towards the reader. (think pity points or sob stories)
“A pro of adoption is that children of unplanned pregnancy, poor home lives, and with special needs are given the loving, supportive home they deserve. Adoption, for all parties involved, is a second chance.”
This example displays pathos in that it is telling you that these children deserve a second chance, and how could you disagree with that? It also shows a soft spot for the adopting parents, because they want children, they just cant have their own. So they deserve a second chance, too.
Logos = Logical thinking and factual evidence to back up one's stance on a subject (think numbers)
“The cost of adoption is often one of the first negatives people see when researching the option. Domestic infant adoption can range from $20,000 to $50,000 dollars, with international adoption usually costing between $40,000 and $60,000 dollars.”
This blurb displays strong logos persuasion because, sure, adoption is great on terms of morals, but hot damn is it ever expensive. That's a huge drawback for anyone considering adoption. There are people who want children more than anything, and would be more than capable of supporting them, but aren't capable of paying all of that money just to acquire the baby.
Ethos = Believably of the article and trust in the author based on their integrity.
“My birthmother gave me up not because she didn't love me, but because she couldn't provide for me in the way that she wanted to. So she gave me to my parents, who deeply wanted a child, and could care for me and spoiled me (in a good way!). I was taken care of, and that of course made my birthmother happy. It was a win/win/win situation, really.”
This excerpt is a prime example of ethos because the author has first hand experience. They have gone through this process and they know personally how it effects a person. Therefore, their argument is very reliable, but also very specific, and may be too personal for some peoples' tastes.
Pathos = Persuasion based on emotional manipulation geared towards the reader. (think pity points or sob stories)
“A pro of adoption is that children of unplanned pregnancy, poor home lives, and with special needs are given the loving, supportive home they deserve. Adoption, for all parties involved, is a second chance.”
This example displays pathos in that it is telling you that these children deserve a second chance, and how could you disagree with that? It also shows a soft spot for the adopting parents, because they want children, they just cant have their own. So they deserve a second chance, too.
Logos = Logical thinking and factual evidence to back up one's stance on a subject (think numbers)
“The cost of adoption is often one of the first negatives people see when researching the option. Domestic infant adoption can range from $20,000 to $50,000 dollars, with international adoption usually costing between $40,000 and $60,000 dollars.”
This blurb displays strong logos persuasion because, sure, adoption is great on terms of morals, but hot damn is it ever expensive. That's a huge drawback for anyone considering adoption. There are people who want children more than anything, and would be more than capable of supporting them, but aren't capable of paying all of that money just to acquire the baby.
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