Definition
Origins
Examples
Application in writing
100

This rhetorical appeal seeks to connect with the audience's emotions, like empathy or excitement, to make an argument more persuasive.

What is Pathos?

100

This ancient civilization is the origin of the term "Pathos," used to describe emotional appeal in rhetoric.

What is Greece?

100

In The Pursuit of Happiness, Pathos is used to emphasize this kind of relationship between Chris Gardner and his young son.

What is a father-son bond?

100

Pathos is a powerful tool in writing because it draws the audience in on this level, making the message more relatable.

What is a personal level?

200

A speaker might use this emotion, often related to sympathy or compassion, to make the audience feel for the people involved in an argument.

What is empathy?

200

The word "Pathos" comes from a Greek term meaning these three concepts related to emotion.

What are suffering, experience, or emotion?

200

In the film Up, this emotional journey is central to Carl Fredricksen's adventure to honor his late wife.

What is fulfilling a promise?

200

Rather than relying on data alone, writers use Pathos to evoke this type of reaction, which can make their message more impactful.

What is an emotional response?

300

By appealing to this feeling, a speaker might evoke a sense of frustration or passion in their audience to strengthen their message.

What is anger?

300

Pathos originally described how a speaker would connect with an audience's ______ to enhance the strength of their message.

What is emotions?

300

This 2006 film, which tells the story of Chris Gardner's struggle from homelessness to success, uses Pathos to emphasize his bond with his son.

What is The Pursuit of Happyness?

300

Pathos in writing increases the likelihood that the author's message will be conveyed effectively by making the audience feel this towards the cause.

What is connected?

400

Using Pathos in rhetoric can make a message more compelling by appealing to this type of response, whether through joy, sadness, or excitement.

What is an emotional response?

400

In ancient Greek, "πάθος" (Pathos) conveyed this type of connection, allowing speakers to bond emotionally with listeners.

What is an emotional connection?

400

This animated film follows an elderly man on a journey to honor his late wife’s memory, using Pathos to highlight themes of love and loss.

What is Up?

400

By evoking empathy, Pathos appeals to this type of connection, which can move people to action or deeper understanding.

What is an emotional connection?