Methods for Creating a Good Argument: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos

A key way of constructing a quality argument to persuade or convince is by using the tools of ethos, pathos, and logos.

ETHOS: credibility. We agree with people whom we respect for their achievements, title, experience, etc.

LOGOS: means of persuasion through logic, data and statistics.

PATHOS: act of appealing to emotions.

Many of the greatest arguments throughout history (such as Martin Luther King Junior's "Letter from Birmingham Jail) uses all three of these tools in order to create a successful, convincing, and persuasive argument.

More in-depth descriptions of ethos, pathos, and logos will come in future posts. Stay tuned!