What Is Aristotle's Rhetorical Triangle

WHAT IS A RHETORICAL TRIANGLE AND HOW TO USE IT

A rhetorical triangle is made up of three persuasion strategies namely logos, pathos and ethos. These three persuasion appeals always work in tandem during arguments. The great Greek philosopher, Aristotle, in 4th century BCE wrote great treatises concerning rhetoric where he outlined the three major rhetoric appeals as mentioned above. Essentially, these strategies are what make up the rhetorical triangle. Although Aristotle himself did not use the triangular imagery which was adopted later, he effectively outlined the three persuasion modes and their uses in communication or during an argument.

During an argument, a logo is like the ‘flesh’ of the argument. It is the basis by which you try

Aristotle was of the idea that logos is the most important of the three strategies but it is very important to note that not every audience will adopt your argument by using only logos to persuade them. Some audiences can be easily persuaded if the speaker has a strong ethos while others can be easily persuaded if the speaker uses pathos to persuade them while other audiences will only be persuaded if a combination of two of the three or even all of the strategies are used

The audience may fail to be fully convinced if the question of credibility is not fully answered. Ask yourself the following two questions in order to come up with an answer to the credibility question; what really is the intention behind your communication? Is it to call for some sort of action to be taken, is it to provide some information, is it to educate, is it to change an idea or perspective or is it to entertain. The other question is, as person, who are you? From the onset you need to establish what you stand for and who you are by explaining where your expertise has been gained