Ethos, Logos, or Pathos
“This toothpaste is recommended by 9 out of 10 dentists.”
Logos (uses statistics and logic)
What is a claim in an argumentative text?
What is a counterclaim?
A statement that expresses the writer’s main argument or position.
An opposing argument that disagrees with the main claim.
Which is stronger evidence?
A) “Everyone knows video games are bad for you.”
B) “A 2024 study by the CDC found that teens who play violent games have higher stress levels.”
B
What is the author’s purpose in an argumentative text?
To persuade the reader to agree with a claim.
A writer states, “Some people believe students shouldn’t have homework, but it actually helps them practice responsibility.”
Which vocabulary term describes the part beginning with “Some people believe…”?
Counterclaim
“As a doctor with 20 years of experience, I can assure you this treatment works.”
Ethos (uses credibility/expertise)
Write a short counterclaim to this statement: “Students should have no homework.”
Some homework helps students review lessons and prepare for tests.
Why is “I think recycling is great” weak evidence?
It’s just an opinion, not based on facts or research.
How does tone affect an argument’s effectiveness?
It influences how the reader feels and responds to the message.
The writer’s reply to the opposing viewpoint in an argument is called a _______.
Rebuttal
“If you don’t donate today, thousands of children will go hungry tonight.”
Pathos (uses emotion)
Why is it important to address a counterclaim in an essay?
It shows the writer has considered multiple viewpoints and strengthens credibility.
Name one way to tell if evidence is credible.
It comes from experts, research, or reliable sources.
“Our oceans are choking on plastic, and yet companies continue to produce single-use bottles at record speed. We must hold them accountable before the damage becomes irreversible.”
What is the author’s purpose and tone in this passage?
Purpose: To persuade readers to take action against plastic pollution.
Tone: Urgent and accusatory — the author blames companies and urges immediate responsibility
A commercial shows a famous athlete drinking an energy drink and says, “Winners choose VoltX.”
Which term best describes this persuasive approach, and why is it effective?
Answer: Ethos — it appeals to credibility by connecting the product to a trusted figure.
In a commercial for a new fitness app, a well-known Olympic athlete explains how the app helped them recover after injury. The ad also flashes data showing a 40% increase in workout consistency among users.
Which rhetorical appeal is the primary technique, and why might the company have combined appeals in this way?
Primary appeal: Ethos, because it relies on the athlete’s credibility and authority.
Reason for combining: The Logos element (statistical data) reinforces the claim with logic, making the ad more persuasive by appealing to both trust and reason.
A writer says, “Some people believe school uniforms limit creativity, but they actually promote focus.”
What part is the counterclaim?
“Some people believe school uniforms limit creativity”
Excerpt:
A student writes in an essay:
“Teenagers spend too much time on their phones. My little brother is on his phone all day, and I’ve read lots of posts online about how bad it is for you.”
Explain why this evidence is weak and describe two ways the student could strengthen it.
The evidence is weak because it’s based on personal observation and unverified online sources rather than credible data.
To strengthen it, the student could:
1️⃣ Include statistical research (e.g., from Pew Research Center).
2️⃣ Cite expert opinions from psychologists or educators on teen screen time.
This change adds logos and credibility, making the argument reliable.
“Some people argue that technology is ruining face-to-face communication, but that’s an exaggeration. Technology doesn’t destroy connection — it transforms it. Families video-chat across continents, and students collaborate with peers they’ve never met in person.”
What is the author’s purpose, and how does the tone help achieve it?
Purpose: To refute a common criticism of technology and show its positive effects on communication.
Tone: Reasoned and optimistic — by using calm logic and hopeful examples, the author makes readers reconsider a negative belief.
Excerpt:
“Some critics argue that video games make teens violent. However, studies from the American Psychological Association show no consistent link between gaming and aggression.”
Identify the claim, counterclaim, and rebuttal, and explain how each serves a purpose in argumentative structure.
Claim: Video games do not make teens violent.
Counterclaim: Critics argue games do cause violence.
Rebuttal: APA studies show no link, disproving the counterclaim.
Each piece builds the argument’s logic — presenting opposition, then refuting it with credible evidence.
A politician ends a campaign speech by describing growing up in poverty, then outlines a five-point economic plan supported by university research, and finally says, “If you care about families like mine, vote for change.”
Identify all three rhetorical appeals being used and explain how their combination strengthens the overall argument.
The speech uses Pathos (personal story of poverty), Logos (research-based plan), and Ethos (position as a leader with lived experience).
Together, these appeals build emotional connection, demonstrate logic and evidence, and establish credibility, making the argument more powerful and well-rounded.
Many people believe that school cafeterias should stop serving fast food items because they are unhealthy and cause students to gain weight. However, banning fast food completely is not the best solution. When offered in moderation and alongside healthier choices, fast food can teach students how to make balanced decisions and manage real-world eating habits.
In the excerpt, identify the claim and the counterclaim. Explain how the author uses reasoning to support the claim.
Counterclaim: “Many people believe that school cafeterias should stop serving fast food items because they are unhealthy and cause students to gain weight.”
Claim: “Banning fast food completely is not the best solution.”
Excerpt A: “A nutrition blogger claims that drinking celery juice cures anxiety because it worked for her.”
Excerpt B: “A 2023 Harvard Medical School study of 2,000 participants found no link between celery juice and anxiety reduction.”
Which source provides stronger evidence, and what criteria make it more credible?
Excerpt B is stronger because it’s peer-reviewed research from a credible institution, based on a large sample size and measurable data.
“When the final factory closed, the town didn’t just lose jobs — it lost its heartbeat. Now, boarded-up windows stare back like empty eyes, and the silence after sunset feels heavier than the night air itself.”
What is the author’s purpose, what tone do they use, and how does their imagery help achieve that purpose?
Purpose: To raise awareness or evoke empathy for the economic decline and emotional toll of factory closures on small towns.
Tone: Melancholic and reflective.
Explanation: The imagery (“boarded-up windows,” “empty eyes,” “silence… heavier than the night air”) personifies the town, emphasizing loss and hopelessness. This emotional language encourages readers to feel compassion and consider the human impact behind economic change.
“According to data from the National Sleep Foundation, students who start school after 8:30 a.m. perform 15% better on standardized tests and report higher levels of focus in class. These results show that later start times directly improve academic success.”
Which rhteorical appeal is being used, and how did you determine that?
Logos and the use of statistics to appeal to logical reasoning/cause and effect.