Pathos

Pathos (Emotional Appeal--Greek for "Suffering" or "Experience") means persuading by appealing to the reader's emotions. We can look at texts ranging from classic essays to contemporary advertisements to see how pathos, emotional appeals, are used to persuade. Language choice affects the audience's emotional response, and emotional appeal can effectively be used to enhance an argument.

"NPR: Ads Say 'No More' To Domestic Violence, But Will Audience Listen?"

"NPR: Sad Men: How Advertisers Are Selling With Emotion"

Does this Cheerio's ad take it too far?  

Is is sacchirine? 

Does it make you roll your eyes?

(this is mentioned in the NPR story at the top of the page)