Mind Games Essay

The goal of argumentative writing is to persuade the audience that their ideas are valid or more valid then other authors. Greek philosopher and writer, Aristotle, divided persuasion into three sections: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos. These persuasion guidelines give readers a sense of credibility, emotion, and reasoning. Ethos is associated with credibility or ethical appeal (Ch. 3, Ethos). Does the author portray the characters as people who are worthy of respect? One problem with argumentation is the ability to impress the reader. By making the character someone that is respected and therefore likable the reader is more interested in the work. An example of this would be a doctor, lawyer, or veteran. Even though all of these jobs serve our community in different ways, they are all respected by society. Another example of logos that the book noted was â€Å"If a company is well known, liked, and respected, that reputation will contribute to it’s persuasive power (Ruszkiewicz, 56).† If its character is problematic in any respect, it may have to use argument to reshape an audience’s perception (Ruszkiewicz, 56). Authors will also use ethos from personal experience. Writer and activist Terry Williams attacks those who poisoned the Utah deserts with nuclear radiation (Williams, 58) Terry Williams is a women worth listening to because she has lived with the nuclear peril. These are just some of the ways authors can show authority. Pathos is emotional and persuades by appealing to the reader’s emotions (Ch. 2, Pathos). Language choice affects the audience’s response, and emotional appeal can enhance an argument. The book gives an example of a teacher telling her students that she is legally blind (Kleege, 45). While reading this example, you are probably envisioning yourself sitting in the classroom in shock from what you just heard. When someone gives you information about them or reveals a truth, as the listener, you are taking in everything the speaker is saying; while relating that to every circumstance you can recall. As a student sitting in her classroom, you are thinking about your personal experience with another blind person and forming your own opinion on this person. This example plays in on your emotional side because from the very first day you are aware of your teacher’s disability. Pathos does not always have to be sad; it can also be humorous. Writers can use humor to lighten up the mood and make the reader more comfortable with an argument. The example from Dave Barry (Barry, 49) touches on the idea that men do not need to read the manual but often times make mistakes. This particular example is saying men think they know all, but in reality, they still need help. Logos persuades by the use of reasoning (Ch. 4, Logos). The heart of the argument is presenting the reader with reasons. Effective persuasion can help you back up your claims as well as give proof to your argument. Aristotle divided argumentative writing into facts and reason (Ruszkiewicz, 69). He used what we call hard evidence and reason or common sense (Ruszkiewicz, 69). The book gave an example of U.S. ambassador to the UN asking ambassador Zorin if he had â€Å"placed or is placing medium and intermediate range missiles and sites in Cuba (Ruszkiewicz, 70)?† Representatives allowed him to ask this question because he had hard evidence of spy photographs to prove his claim (Ruszkiewicz). Logos can be shown through text also. By reprinting a single page from a document, you have proof from years past. The example in the book stated the connection between statements and proofs was credible. The article talked about gun ownership (Lindgren, 75). Logos is important in argumentative writing because readers like to have more then one credible source. As a college student, I would write an article on local colleges and universities providing more activities to 18-20 year old students. This article would show ethos because I am a nineteen-year-old local college student. This topic would show pathos because I am appealing to local people that might be affected by drunken college students driving on the roads. I would use the local police records to provide logos to persuade my readers. Another college student might write an essay to persuade local governments to allow 18-21 year old students into the bars. It would be important for the writer to be a responsible college student to establish ethos. The student could argue that this policy would allow underage students to be designated drivers for the legalized students. This would demonstrate pathos. The writer could use local traffic records and news stories to create logos. When an author writes a good rhetorical essay it is similar to a sales representative selling a product. The writer is selling their idea to the public just like the sales rep is selling their product. It will be important for both of them to establish ethos with their audience to make credible representations. They will both use pathos to interest a person in their product or idea. It is also important for both of them to use logos to back up the claims they are making. A sales rep will be rewarded with a commission, and a successful write will be rewarded with future writing assignments. Works cited Ruszkiewicz, Andrea A. Lunsford John J. Everything’s an argument. Vol. 56. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2009.