pathos

(noun)

A communication technique that makes an appeal to the audience's emotions; used most often in rhetoric and in literature, film, and other narrative arts.

Related Terms

Examples of pathos in the following topics:

  • Modes of Persuasion: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos

    • In other words, readers must take a look at Aristotle's three persuasive appeals to the audience: logos, pathos, and ethos.
    • In contrast to logos, pathos relies on evoking an emotional reaction from the audience.
    • The evidence in a pathos argument is more likely to be personal or anecdotal.
    • Generally, pathos is most effective when used in the introduction and conclusion.
    • There are subtle ways to use pathos throughout the paper as well, and you can do that primarily through word choice.

  • Reading Carefully and Closely

    • Does the piece rely most heavily on ethos, logos, or pathos?

  • Raising the Stakes of Your Argument

    • Pathos: If you still question the results of these trials, take a moment for this thought experiment.