A Rhetorical Analysis is a study of how writers and speakers use certain words to influence an Audience. In a rhetorical analysis, Pathos, Ethos and Logos are writing techniques used to grab attention from the viewers. Pathos is used to activate an emotion, Ethos is defined for credibility, and Logos is based on logic. Each of these techniques used in writing, commercials and so on are identified in the poem “Please God, I’m only 17!” by Dr. Michael Polling. The poem is based on a young boy Jimmy Rowe, who was killed in a car accident at just 16 years old. It was written by Dr. Michael Lee Polling, from the perspective of his dead best friend Jimmy. Kids are always excited for that new car and that little taste of freedom on the road. But, is it all really worth the risk? Some writers and readers wouldn’t know what pathos is unless they have searched for the definition on the internet. Pathos is used in everyday activity and we have yet to realize it. Pathos is a technique used to evoke emotions. For example, in ASPCA commercials the creators use pathos as a way to grab viewers attention with abused animals and sad music. Now, in the poem “Please God, I’m only 17!” Dr. Michael Polling states “I wish someone could wake me up and get me out of this casket! My mom and dad are so broken up. …show more content…
One reason in particular that shows how credible Dr. Michael Lee polling is, is because as it is known Teenage Drivers have always frightened the world, especially when speeding is involved. “ I want to laugh and sing. Please don’t put me in the ground. I promise if you give me one more chance, I’ll be the most careful driver in the whole world” (Polling 1997). This shows that even though it was not written in the perspective of the victim, his best friend knew how Jimmy would respond if that never happened to him. It is almost as if he would be pleading for a second shot at life to make sure his accident never
However, it is effective in Gladwell’s short stories. Pathos evokes strong feelings that we can relate to as the reader, thus making the short stories more effective and the physiological hypothesis discussed easier to understand. In the excerpt is an example, “Boss ran up the street toward Westchester Avenue because he had lost track in the shouting and the shooting of where they were. Later, when the ambulances arrived, he was so distraught, he could not speak… next to Diallo’s bullet-ridden body, and started to cry.” (Gladwell 194)
Pathos emotionally connects with the reader. Outliers shows many examples, one would be the story of 12-year-old Marita living in a one-bedroom apartment with her mom. To reach her success “I wake up at five-forty-five a.m. to get a head start, I brush my teeth, shower. I get some breakfast at school, if I am running late…” (Gladwell, 264).
Pathos is a rhetorical device used for providing emotion to the reader. He wants the reader to feel sympathetic towards the mistreatment of African-Americans. In the introduction, the first rhetorical device he introduced is pathos. Coates present pathos when he introduced Clyde Ross. He titles the first chapter as, “So that’s just one of my losses”.
Patrick Henry, a Virginian lawyer, made himself known for the speeches supporting American democracy. He is known as the "Orator of Liberty." In 1775, American colonists were still under Great Britain’s power. Many were hoping to be able to work out their disagreements and remain British subjects. Patrick Henry had had enough of cooperating with the British.
Pathos is the expression of one’s emotions in order to evoke another person to feel empathy for them. In an untasteful execution, Crito accomplishes this by expounding how the eradication of Socrates will lead to a pessimistic brunt when he scorns “What it seems is that you’re letting your sons down too.” (Crito, pg. 885) trying to arrange for him a disturbance for not being there for his sons when he could have if he decided to escape and remain alive. Nonetheless, this does not arouse Socrates because he had already consulted the pros and cons; and the pros eclipsed the cons, leaving pathos
For example, Mr.Gilmer uses Pathos when making Mayella explain what happened on the supposed day Tom abused and took advantage of her, the reasoning is that in the book it says “Mayella stared at him and burst into tears. She cover her mouth with her hands and sobbed. ”lee241 When this scene happened Mr.Gilmer was questioning Mayella. This showed a negative holistically in the argument; Pathos was strengthened because of the reason it appealed the audience emotion making them feel bad for her, this helped the argument because the audience felt emotion when Mayella was crying this might cause an unbiased audience to feel and think that Tom could possibly be guilty. Also, Mr.Gilmer used Ethos appealing to the audiences good morals for this reason
According to Everything's an Argument, pathos is defined as using emotional appeal to persuade an audience. An example of how Orwell used pathos to persuade the audience is used very strong words such as “oppressor”, “tyrant”, “savage”, and “crucified” which evoke emotions in the audience. He often referred to the British as oppressor instead of the ruler. Since Orwell used such heavily connotated words, the audience was able to understand how he felt much clearer and it showed he put a lot of thought into his story. The precision in his words helps convince the reader he really did evaluate his whole life after the incident where he shot the
Shirley Chisholm’s Presidential Bid From the beginning, the world was a place of inequality. However, it is possible to change. Through hard work from significant individuals, the world has fought wars and created laws that have led towards equality.
Pathos is a charged language, in which someone uses a lot of emotion in words and towards the audience. In King’s speech, he uses a lot of emotion and passion in his words towards his audience at the footsteps of the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington D.C.. As of King Jr 's “Letter From Birmingham Jail”, he uses a lot of Logos (another persuasive technique) in
The definition of pathos is the quality or power in an actual life experience or in literature, music, speech, or other forms of expression, of evoking a feeling of pity, or of sympathetic and kindly sorrow or compassion. In other words, it is a way that authors and/or writers get to the audience’s emotions. Spurlock uses pathos by affecting the emotions of his audience with children. The beginning of the documentary shows kids singing and dancing. That automatically affects people’s emotions.
Pathos is used to manipulate the viewers emotionally and uses words of emotion. Ethos, unlike pathos, is a more
In the poem “Ballad of Birmingham’’ written by Dudley Randal, some fellow peers might disagree with his ways of figurative captivation that he uses about the tragic events displayed to his audience, but believe it or not, there might be a few reasons behind this occurrence- and why it may have surpassed us all. First and foremost, the author took advantage of the heartbreaker and tear-jolter of literature known as Pathos. Pathos is the element of persuasion that was used to make his readers understand the mother’s pain and placement of losing an innocent child; your innocent child.
The use of ethos, pathos, and logos in any type of writing or speaking can create a commanding and arresting effect on the reader/listener.
Katha Pollitt, in her essay, “Marooned on Gilligan’s Island: Are Women Morally Superior to Men?” addresses the topic of how difference feminists actually weaken women. Difference feminists believe that women are morally superior to men. Pollitt was invited to sign a peace petition, but realized it was actually demeaning to women.
Pathos is when the speech appeals to the audience’s emotions. President Abraham Lincoln uses pathos is this speech to console the audience for the losses that the country has endured during the Civil War. Lincoln uses pathos to convey sadness when he says, “The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.” When saying this Lincoln appeals to the people’s emotions by explaining that their loved ones struggled there and he also appeals to the feeling of pride they feel for their loved ones who dedicated their lives to their cause. Another example of pathos in this speech is, “...that from these honored dead we take increased devotion-that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain…”