Welcome to the Pima Library guide for research and writing on your argumentative essay.
This guide is intended as a starting place for researchers and students enrolled in Writing 101S and other writing classes on how to evaluate sources that may be used in writing.
Aristotle taught that a speaker’s ability to persuade an audience is based on how well the speaker appeals to that audience in three different areas: logos, ethos, and pathos. Considered together, these appeals form what later rhetoricians have called "the rhetorical triangle."
Ethos (Credibility), or ethical appeal, is appeal based on the character of the speaker. One way to do this is to build a case for your authority on the topic.
Pathos (Emotional) is an appeal to the reader’s emotions. One way to do this is to include research that will trigger emotional involvement in your topic.
Logos (Logical) is appeal based on logic or reason. Logos necessitates a well researched and well supported essay that reaches a logical conclusion based on the evidence.