THE THREE TYPES OF PERSUASIVE APPEAL​
The three types of persuasive appeal are logos, pathos, and ethos.​
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When used together in a piece of literature, these techniques of persuasive appeal are essentially an author's ultimate tool to persuade a reader.
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​Logos: Logos is the appeal to a reader's logic and common sense. The author uses facts and figures to persuade the reader into changing their opinion. The word logic is derived from the Greek word "logos" meaning word. The author uses historical analogies and logical reasoning to persuade the reader.
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EX:
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Childhood obesity is a major problem in America. 1 in 3 kids are considered obese or overweight.
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​Ethos: Ethos is the ethical appeal. It appeals to the reader's sense of credibility. The author uses ethos by referring to the character and credibility of the author. The word ethics derives from the word "ethos" which means character. Author's uses the vocabulary appropriate to his target audience to persuade them to side with his argument without sounding biased or prejudiced.
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EX:​​
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Doctors recommend my brand of band-aid to more patients than any other brand.​
​Pathos: Pathos is the appeal to the reader's sense of emotion. This invokes sympathy or anger in the reader and is a great tool in persuasion. The word pathetic derived from pathos which means both, suffering and experience.
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EX:
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Many families lose their loved ones due to cancer. My grandmother passed away suffering from cancer before her time. More research needs to be done to prevent and eradicate this terrible disease, so none of us have to suffer the pain of losing those close to our hearts. ​