The Rhetorical Triangle
LOGOS (idea, message)
PATHOS (force, emotion) ETHOS (form, manner)
Every communication is essentially a trilateral relationship. Each point of the triangle
influences the others, and all are influenced by the context of the communication. Each point
of the triangle bears some responsibility for the success of the communication, and each
point of the triangle corresponds with one of Aristotle's three appeals (i.e., general means of persuasion).
Rational Appeals (logos) |
Emotional Appeals (pathos) |
Ethical Appeals (ethos) |
appeal to logical reasoning ability of readers
|
appeal to beliefs and feelings
lower emotions
|
sense you (author) gives as being compentent/fair/authority
|