Rhetoric has a rather negative connotation because of its use during the election season. In reality, rhetoric is something used daily in every conversation often without any though of deception. Rhetoric is persuasion and is a must-have in professional writing. All rhetoric falls into three categories: ethos, pathos, and logos.
Ethos is self; the “I”. When using this type one is trying to persuade on the basis of their reputation or expertise. When a doctor tells a patient that he needs surgery the patient usually listens and agrees. If an accountant tried to tell that same person that they need surgery they probably won’t listen. This example shows that the doctor’s reputation persuaded the man to have the surgery.
Pathos is the emotional persuasion we see in many TV ads. There are many commercials out today that start off showing a poor child digging through the garbage for food. The narrator then begins to describe a day in the life of this boy and many others like him. This commercial touches us and causes us to feel compassions for the boy and want to help by sending money. This is an example of the emotional rhetoric called pathos.
Logos is the logical rhetoric. When the weatherman says there is a storm coming and you should stay indoors it is logical to do what he recommends. When someone tries to persuade you with logic they are using logos rhetoric.
I hear rhetoric all day long and it is good to be able to determine which kind I am hearing and try to determine why I am being persuaded.
