Pathos

While humans have the capacity for logic, we are also very emotional creatures. Pathos is a mode of persuasion that attempts to generate sympathy for a speaker's position.

Introduction

An argument which appeals to pathos is attempting to evoke a "gut" response in listeners.

Such an emotional response could be the welling of tears upon hearing of a terrible tragedy, the tightening of fists upon learning of a great injustice, or the swelling of the heart when discovering a source of great pride.

Appealing to Pathos

Appealing to pathos means trying to establish an emotional connection with an audience. By doing so, a speaker hopes that their listeners feel moved by the points they are making, and therefore embrace the position that is being put forward.

There are a number of ways a speaker can appeal to pathos in their argument.

Sympathy

By depicting someone or something as threatened or vulnerable, a speaker can evoke sympathy within an audience towards this entity.

Such feelings of empathy encourage listeners to feel protective towards the affected party, and thus more likely to be swayed by the speaker's position.

Anger

By suggesting that some kind of injustice has occurred, a speaker can evoke feelings of anger and frustration in their listeners.

To stoke such powerful feelings, a speaker must be aware of the values or beliefs held by their audience. Without this knowledge, a speaker cannot know what listeners believe is unjust or unfair, and thus cannot argue that a transgression has taken place.

Action

By providing meaningful ways to take action in response to an issue, a speaker encourages listeners to believe they have what it takes to make a difference.

Such tactics appeal to ego: a (possibly overinflated) belief in one's own abilities.

Consequences

By using open or veiled threats, a speaker can suggest that if their argument is not embraced, something undesirable will happen.

Such tactics attempt to scare or frighten listeners, whilst also providing assurances that the speaker (and/or their position) can prevent such negative outcomes.

Connection

By making a distant or abstract topic appear familiar and relatable, a speaker encourages listeners to feel connected to this issue.

Without such a connection, listeners may not wish to get involved in something that does not appear to concern them in a meaningful way.

Knowing When to Appeal to Pathos

Pathos is an interesting one.

While it is a powerful tool that can bring audiences to tears, fill crowds with rage, and start and end wars, it is also looked down upon in some circles.

In particular, the world of academia almost always views pathos as something that gets in the way of scientific objectivity. Thus, it should be avoided in academic writing, which includes everybody's favourite assessment task: the essay.

Interestingly, essays throughout history drew heavily on pathos to persuade audiences. However, in modern society the essay form is seen as a bastion of logos above all else.

So, should you use pathos in your essay writing?

The general answer is no.

If you are writing a speech, article or letter then by all means appeal to your audience's emotions to help argue your case. However, if you are asked to write an essay in which you argue in favour of your interpretation of a text, you should appeal purely to logos to persuade your audience.

That said, we should always remember The Golden Rule in such cases.

Modes of Persuasion

Having studied the three modes of persuasion that make up the art of rhetoric, we will next examine some ways a speaker can make deliberate language choices to further persuade listeners that their position is valid.

NEXT:
Diction