Ethos in Context
What is ethos?
A statement based on credibility and trust.
Name two ways a speaker can establish ethos without directly saying, “You should trust me.”
Demonstrating expertise, citing relevant experience, using reliable sources, acknowledging limitations, etc.
A speaker says, “As a doctor, I have spent 20 years studying this disease.” Which appeal is most prominent?
Ethos.
A professional athlete endorses a sports drink sponsor. What gives them ethos, and what weakens it?
Their athletic experience gives them relevant credibility; but being paid to endorse it can raise questions for the audience.
Should students be allowed to use phones during class? Agree or disagree? Use an example using ethos to support your position.
wow 🧐
A speaker says, “I’ve worked with this organization for 15 years.” What aspect of ethos are they showing?
Experience/expertise
How can admitting that you don’t know everything (limitations) make people trust you more?
It can make the speaker appear honest and intellectually responsible.
“I have treated hundreds of patients with this condition.” Is this ethos, logos, or pathos? Explain.
Ethos.
An environmental scientist argues that an environmental policy will work. They provide credentials but no evidence. Is their argument very convincing?
No. Ethos establishes credibility but doesn't replace evidence.
Should schools have a four-day school week? Agree or disagree? Use an example using ethos to support your position.
🤯
True or false: You have to be an expert to use ethos.
False
What is the difference between authority and credibility?
Authority can come from a position/title, while credibility is people's overall belief that the speaker is trustworthy and knowledgeable.
A speaker says, “You can trust me because I care about families just like yours.” What makes this ethos?
The statement is trying to establish the speaker as trustworthy.
A celebrity with millions of followers recommends a political candidate. Does their popularity give them ethos in politics?
Not really. Popularity can make them influential, but it doesn't establish political expertise or credibility.
Should homework be eliminated? Agree or disagree? Use an example using ethos to support your position.
hmm 🤔
A student says, “As someone who has to wake up at 5:30 every morning for school, I know how exhausting this is.” How is this ethos?
They show credibility through firsthand experience.
A professional athlete recommends a pair of running shoes. What could make their recommendation credible?
Their experience as an athlete.
Can one sentence use more than one rhetorical appeal? Give an example involving ethos.
🤯🤯🤯 yes
Two speakers have identical qualifications. One openly acknowledges evidence that is against their position; the other ignores it. Who is likely to have stronger ethos?
The first speaker, because acknowledging opposing evidence can make them seem more honest and trustworthy.
Should students be allowed to choose all of their own classes? Agree or disagree? Use an example using ethos to support your position.
crazy
Why could a speaker with no formal qualifications still have strong ethos on a particular topic (ie; an accident on the news)?
They could have firsthand experience.
A celebrity promotes a new cancer treatment despite having no medical background. What is missing from their ethos?
Relevant expertise.
Why can ethos and logos work particularly well together?
Ethos makes the audience more likely to trust the speaker, while logos gives them reasoning and evidence.
A scientist is presenting research that supports their argument. They have excellent qualifications, but they leave out several studies that disagree with their conclusion. How might this affect their ethos?
It could weaken their ethos because deliberately ignoring relevant opposing evidence can make them seem unreliable for not acknowledging the other argument.
Should social media platforms require users to be at least 16 years old? Agree or disagree? Use an example using ethos to support your position.
🙂 im verity