what is ethos in english

Ethos is a term that refers to the set of beliefs, ideas, moral nature, or guiding principles of a person, group, or institution. It is often used in persuasive writing or speeches to appeal to the audiences ethics and convey the authors credibility and knowledge about the topic at hand. Ethos can be demonstrated by showing that the author is a trustworthy source of accurate information. Some examples of ethos include advertisements where doctors recommend a product, murder mysteries where the main character is a professional detective, and political speeches where a candidate talks about their relevant experience. Ethos is an integral part of any good piece of persuasive writing, and its effective use can greatly improve the prose.