The basic approach behind using ethos as a mode of persuasion is that it is an appeal that focuses on the character of the writer or speaker. In other words, the very character of the writer or speaker is the basis for agreeing or disagreeing with what he is arguing. With that in mind, the writer should be able to show that he is a credible person whom his readers can believe and leave doubts behind.

One step is for the writer to show at the onset that he has wide knowledge on the topic. Before actually writing down his arguments, the writer should first indicate that he knows the topic very well or that he has read many resources about the subject. He may impress upon the mind of the reader that he has actually researched carefully. On the topic of utilitarianism, for example, the writer may begin with: jeremy bentham says that the foundation of what is good rests on those which bring the greatest happiness to the greatest number. Picking up from where bentham left, john stuart mill further argued that, more than mere happiness, spiritual and intellectual pleasures outweigh physical pleasures.

But as far as the philosophy of utilitarianism is concerned, things do not simply end there. Act utilitarians contend that the consequences of our actions should be the determining factor of what is good. On the other hand, rule utilitarians argue that the rules governing our actions should be the ultimate guidelines for identifying what is good from otherwise.

Another step is for the writer to show that he has close association with the topic. For example, if the writer is arguing that secondhand smoking should be banned in public places, he may tell his readers that although he is a non smoker he has developed emphysema after having been exposed to secondhand smoke in bars for more than five years. This will show that the writer has actual experience that directly relates to his contention, thereby giving his readers that what he is saying has substance. In some cases, the use of ethos may also be shown by simply telling the readers that the writer is an authority on the topic.

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For example, if the topic is related to health and medicine, the writer may inform his readers that he is a medical practitioner for more than ten years. Or if the topic is about the law, the writer may tell his readers that he has previously worked for the city prosecutor's office. The most important thing to remember in knowing how to use ethos is that this approach focuses more on the character of the writer or speaker rather than the actual content of his arguments.

To a certain degree, the weight of the writer's arguments will depend on his character. Homework study tips expert grace has worked with students for many years as an academic advisor and college enrollment counselor. She currently works as a student success coordinator at a university in georgia, where she teaches courses to help students improve academic performance, enhance research skills, and expand information literacy. You may be surprised to learn that much of your life consists of constructing arguments. If you ever plead a case to your parents in order to extend your curfew, or to get a new gadget, for example you are using persuasive strategies.

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Here 39 s a surprise: when you engage in these 34 arguments 34 with your parents and friends, you are instinctively using ancient strategies for persuasion that were identified by the greek philosopher aristotle a few thousand years ago! aristotle called his ingredients for persuasion ethos, logos, and pathos. when you write a research paper. You come up with an idea a thesis and then construct an argument to convince readers that your idea is sound. Secondly, you must develop the ability to identify a really weak argument, stance, claim, or position when you see or hear it. Logical conclusions come from assumptions and decisions derived from weighing a collection of solid facts and statistics.

Continue reading below an example of an argument that relies on logos is the argument that smoking is harmful based on the evidence that 34 cigarette smoke contains over 4,800 chemicals, 69 of which are known to cause cancer. An everyday example of an appeal to logos is the argument that lady gaga was more popular than justin bieber in 2011 because gaga 39 s fan pages collected ten million more facebook fans than bieber 39 s. As a researcher, your job is to find statistics and other facts to back up your claims. In the example above concerning logos, you saw two examples that were based on hard facts numbers. Which of these sources do you suppose is more credible? facebook fan pages can be started by anyone.

Lady gaga may have fifty different fan pages, and each page may contain duplicate 34 fans. 34 the fan page argument is probably not very sound even though it seems logical. Ethos refers to the credibility of the person posing the argument or stating the facts. The facts provided by the american lung association are probably more persuasive than those provided by fan pages, since the american lung association has been around for more than 100 years. At first glance, you might think that your own credibility is out of your control when it comes to posing academic arguments but that is wrong! even if you write an academic paper on a topic that is outside your area of expertise, you can improve your credibility persuade through ethos as a researcher by coming across as a professional by citing credible sources and making your writing error free and concise. Pathos is involved in the strategy of convincing the audience by invoking feelings through their own imaginations. You probably appeal through pathos when you try to convince your parents of something.

Consider this statement: 34 mom, there is clear evidence that cell phones save lives in emergency situations. 34 while that statement is true, the real power lies in the emotions that you will likely invoke in your parent. What mother wouldn 39 t envision a broken down automobile perched by the side of a busy highway upon hearing that statement? emotional appeals are extremely effective, but they can be tricky. You should appeal to logos by including statics to support your view such as data that suggests that the death penalty does/does not cut down on crime there 39 s plenty of research both ways. But you may also use pathos by interviewing someone who witnessed an execution on the anti death penalty side or someone who found closure when a criminal was executed on the pro death penalty side. Generally, however, academic papers should employ appeals to emotions pretty sparingly.

A long paper that is purely based on emotions is not considered very professional! even when you are writing about an emotionally charged, controversial issue like the death penalty, you can 39 t write a paper that is all emotion and opinion. The teacher, in that circumstance, will likely assign a failing grade because you haven 39 t provided a sound logical argument. persuasive writing is an extremely important skill, whether you are selling something, writing for a cause or for your own satisfaction or for your class!. Persuasive writing can be described as an argument or piece of writing that an author uses to convince his audience of a point or topic. This could potentially be to call the reader to action or it could simply be to convince the reader of an opinion or view. topic amp thesis the first step in persuasive writing is choosing what you want to write about. Usually the easiest and most effective topics focus on something specific, rather than an extremely broad topic.