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Katie Hoerger

ENG102

Rhetorical Proofs

19 September 2017

Ethos, Pathos, & Logos

Chp.2, pg.34- There are many ways to get a point across while making an argument. In

chapter 2, one way that I found useful was using emotions to sustain an argument. The quote I

pulled says, You can also use emotional appeals to make logical claims stronger or more

memorable. I believe it is important because it adds power to your point that you are trying to

make. You can do this by using photographs, videos, and other images to bring out certain

emotions. The goal is to make your argument memorable and to make general readers admit how

they feel and would have acted themselves.

Chp.2, pg.31- In your writing, you want your readers to be able to connect to what you

are writing about. One detail that I found interesting in chapter 2 is, You may sometimes want

to use emotions to connect with readers to assure them that you understand their experience or

feel their pain to borrow a sentiment popularized by President Bill Clinton. I found this

important because sometimes you have to write about sensitive matters. You want your readers

to trust you and relate to what youre saying. I love when I read books and I connect with what

the writer is displaying through their characters. By using emotion to connect with readers can

make the argument that much stronger.

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Chp.2, pg.36- In chapter 2, another way that I found you could make your argument

interesting would be to add humor, it states, Humor has always played an important role in

argument, sometimes as the sugar that makes the medicine go down. I think this is an important

use because while you get your point across, you need to keep your argument interesting so the

reader stays invested in what youre saying. It also keeps the readers comfortable and at ease. If

youre talking about something serious and you add humor throughout your argument, while it is

still a serious topic, it creates a calmness to the argument.

Chp.2, pg.38- When writing an argument, you have to think about your readers and how

you can make them agree with you. In chapter 2, it expresses, You dont want to play puppet

master with peoples emotions when you write arguments, but its a good idea to spend some

time early in your work thinking about how you want readers to feel as they consider your

persuasive claims. I believe this an important point because you dont want to mess with

peoples emotions but you do want to your readers to understand what point you are trying to

make. You also need to consider the effect that a story can have on readers. Writers and

journalist do this especially when working on a story. If the readers can feel the sympathy,

understanding, or honesty you are trying to get across then it makes it that much easier for them

to see your side of things.

Chp.3, pg.43- As a writer, you want your audience to trust you and its not always easy.

In chapter 3, it is said, Trustworthiness and credibility speak to a writers honesty, respect for an

audience and its values, and plain old likeability. I believe this is very important view to have

when writing an argument. You want your readers trust and to do that you need to have respect

for them. Tell your story, make your argument, and be truthful. If you do all of those things,
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youll for sure have an audience that respects you back. You can do all of those things by making

your audience comfortable and your argument interesting.

Chp.3, pg.45- Before you make an argument, it is important that you are knowledgeable

about the topic and can back everything up. Chapter 3 states, When you read or listen to an

argument, you have every right to ask about the writers authority. I think this explanation is

especially important because if you are going to make an argument you need to have all the facts.

You are going to get questioned and youll need to have answers that have facts to back you up.

No one will take your side if you dont know what you are talking about. Make sure you are very

knowledgeable about your topic and can answer questions, and youll be set.

Chp.3, pg.47- If youre truthful from the start then you have nothing to worry about. In

chapter 3, it is made a point that, Such suspicions go to the heart of the ethical arguments. I

believe this is important because some people that are trying to make convincing arguments

arent always truthful or they have certain motives. People will question you and your argument

and you will need to be ready. Its important that you know who you are supporting from the

beginning. Its also important that you stick with your argument through the whole paper or you

will be questioned.

Chp.3, pg.48- By using ethos in your arguments, youre able to display that you are

knowledgeable and trustworthy. Chapter 3 gives many examples of ethos that is used throughout

different types of arguments. I think the point that chapter 3 makes about using ethos in

arguments is very important. Just by establishing your credibility by acknowledging your

audiences values, is a form of ethos. Another form of ethos would be to establish authority. Its

important that you show what knowledge you have on the topic of the argument.
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Chp.4, pg.55- The best way to show your side of the argument is right is by having facts

to back you up. In chapter 4, it states, Gathering factual information and transmitting it

faithfully practically define what we mean by professional journalism and scholarship. I believe

this is important because when you have facts throughout your argument, it just shows how

serious you are. People will listen to arguments they dont agree with, if they have good evidence

to back them up. I think its also important because you want readers to think about the opposite

argument whether youre fighting for it or not. A good argument has good evidence from both

sides.

Chp.4, pg.57- The best arguments are filled with statistics and facts. Chapter 4 states,

Youve probably heard the old saying There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and

statistics, and, to be sure, it is possible to lie with numbers, even those that are accurate, because

numbers rarely speak for themselves. I agree with this because you must be careful of how you

use statistics. Most can be misread because they arent used correctly. That will result of

questioning and could turn into a big mess. Even if numbers are accurate, it doesnt mean its

true. They can be misleading and you must double check before using.

Chp.4, pg.60- In chapter 4, it is said, When they verify the popularity of an idea or a

proposal, surveys and polls provide strong persuasive appeals because they come as close to

expressing the will of the people as anything short of an election- the most decisive poll of all. I

think this is important because when using surveys and polls in an argument, you are providing

clear information about what other people think. Instead of getting one perspective on

something, you are getting multiple. I also think its important because these polls and surveys

can be important to scientific research and document the complexities of human behavior. They

get people and politicians to make decisions faster and the information provided is accurate.
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Chp.4, pg.62- If readers can connect with your argument, then there is a good chance

they will see your side. In chapter 4, it says, Writers can support arguments by presenting

human experiences in the form of narrative or testimony- particularly if those experiences are

their own. I believe this is important because if your readers can connect with the point you are

trying to make, then it will make the argument that much easier. Courts often use testimonies and

narratives in cases to help make their argument. Especially when it comes to detailed narratives

of exactly what happened because it gives a good visual of the scene. Also, if you add in

personal perspectives that support a claim convincingly and logically, you will gain the trust of

the readers. The goal is to get the readers on your side and testimonies and narratives can be a

huge help.