Logos, ethos, and pathos are techniques of persuasion that form the rhetorical triangle. They are central to rhetorical analysis, though a piece of rhetoric might not necessarily use all of them. Here is a brief overview of what each of them means:
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Logos: appeals to the audiences reason, building up logical arguments. Logos can also be thought of as the text of the argument, as well as how well a writer has argued his/her point.
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Ethos: appeals to the speakers status or authority, making the audience more likely to trust them. Ethos can also be thought of as the role of the writer in the argument, and how credible his/her argument is.
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Pathos: appeals to the emotions, trying to make the audience feel a certain way. Pathos can also be thought of as the role of the audience in the argument.
Collectively, these three appeals are sometimes called the rhetorical triangle. They are important components of all writing, whether we are aware of them or not. By learning to recognize logos, ethos, and pathos in the writing of others and in our own, we can create texts that appeal to readers on many different levels.
