Aristotle was a Greek philosopher who lived from 384 BC and died in 322 BC. One of Aristotle’s greatest teachings was a speaker’s ability to persuade an audience is based on three different areas of appeal. These three areas of rhetoric are logos, ethos, and pathos. Logos is the appeal to reason and logic. Ethos is the side of persuasion and argument that relies on the credibility of the presenter or author. Most importantly, pathos is the appeal to emotion and the humanization of an issue that allows the reader to feel responsibility or emotionally attached to an issue. 

Example #1 

Pathos can be effectively shown through literature by using strong images to motivate emotions. The authors of “Pathos & Ethos: Emotions and Willingness to Pay for Tobacco Products” discuss the packaging of tabacos products and their effects on consumers. While elaborating on their claims, statements from the International Affective Picture System (IAFS) are utilized to confirm “strong images elicit more defensive (fear) or appetitive (pleasure) reactions than milder pictures” (George, Gaskell, et al, 19). Strong images inciting emotion, combined with an argument describes pathos relatively well. In “Beyond Words: reading and Writing in a Visual Age” by John, Ruszkiewicz, Daniel Anderson, and Christy Friend the images that circulated during the battle of the Serbs and the Croats were strong images of “children killed in the shelling of a village” which were used as propaganda from both sides of the battle. Strong images of dead children incite fear and anger to both sides of the war giving soldiers a reason to fight for the Independence of Croatia. This is the use of pathos. The argument is, one side of the war wants to win independence and freedom for a better life, so they evoke emotions that will give a reason to why Croatians need to take responsibility and attachment to the issue. The politicians do this through gruesome images to ensure emotion is incited and is an example of pathos.

Example #2 

Another way pathos is effectively presented is through connotation of words that will attempt to motivate desired emotions. In Michael Frost book, Ethos, Pathos and Legal Audience, they discuss the origins of the rhetoric pathos and learning “character of judges” to “increase [their] chances of success” while using pathos (Frost, 92). Frost elaborates on how the Greeks thought it was important to use judge’s emotions in court to help their case. Frost cites the Greeks explaining how they would use pathos by “speaking for the lowly we shall lay stress on [the judge’s] sense of justice” (Frost 92). Continuing, in Gaia Vince’s article “Coping With Climate Change: Which Societies Will Do Best?” Vince uses specific connotation that incites competition through pathos. In Vince’s article they argue using “Darwinian principles” that only “community ‘climate-fit’” and “’climate weak’ populations” will continue to thrive with the ongoing issue of climate change (Vince, np). Vince also mentions the examples of how one village prepares for droughts by storing water during times of rain which allows them to thrive during the summer while another group fails to do the same which results in their village relying on government for water (Vince, np). Vince realizes his audience will be first world countries. Vince continues his use of pathos by comparison of how underdeveloped countries deal with issues. This is meant to motivate first world countries to take similar actions since they are in generally better conditions. Pathos and word choice being used in unison models one tool in rhetoric when presenting an issue.

The use of logos and ethos is common in STEM writing and journalism. The establishment of facts and authority is imperative to construct a persuasive argument. However, these two rhetorical tools alone do a poor job of truly convincing an audience. Pathos, the appeal to emotion,  serves to provide a humanizing aspect to the argument. This human aspect appeals to emotions and gives the reader a reason to care about the topic. Emotions play an integral role in constructing a convincing argument. In their study on emotional processing responses, Hoyt et al. note that “Processing emotions through expressive writing about stressors involves the use of emotional processing styles that are both constructive and unconstructive” (1192). This suggests the idea that reading emotional rhetoric can potentially construct new ideas and change old ones. When used correctly, pathos can appeal to emotions and can effectively sway or reinforce opinions. Developing effective pathos use will lead to more persuasive arguments. 

Pathos is used everywhere and people use pathos consciously and subconsciously to win people over. Effective pathos use may convince someone that an idea is right or persuade someone to take action. Pathos use is common, especially in the daily lives of politicians and attorneys. Politicians can employ pathos to convince audiences that their way is the right way while defense attorneys may describe a client’s hardships to influence the jury. Attorneys know that emotions greatly affect decision making and as a result, effective verbal pathos use makes arguments significantly more agreeable. Jessica Salerno’s study on emotion in closing arguments notes that “Emotion expression—particularly indignation and anger—is described as a necessary part of delivering a closing argument” (386). This further demonstrates that certain professions require pathos for success. Feeling worried about making a wrong decision can be stressful for a jury member. But if attorneys use pathos effectively and honestly, it might influence the jury to vote in favor of their client. Incorporating the use of pathos in daily life can be beneficial because it allows people to connect with others on a deeper emotional level which fosters empathy and understanding. 

The uneven U paragraph structure is an integral part of argumentative STEM writing. The uneven U balances an in-depth analysis of a topic with an argumentative and relatable aspect that ultimately serves to persuade the reader. Pathos can be used throughout the uneven U paragraph but it is most effective in the level 5 sentence. The level 5 sentence aims to modify the thinking of the reader by humanizing the argument. It further serves to relay to the reader why an issue is significant. A level 5 sentence functions to shape thinking, and using humanizing an argument with pathos can create an emotional connection that causes the reader to agree with certain statements. In order to most effectively incorporate pathos into the uneven U structure, appeal to emotion more in higher-level sentences than lower level ones. Using subtle pathos in level three and four sentences can help to create a rhetorical frame that supports the argument. However, using pathos in the level 5 sentence can end an argument with a strong emotional impact that resonates with the reader and leaves an impression. 

“This diet-driven trend, combined with the overall increase in the population and expansion of the middle class, will put a number of pressures on future food security and will raise issues of inequality as some of the world’s population still has limited access to adequate nutrition” (np). 

This quote provides a human aspect to the argument that food emissions negatively impact people. The article notes the fact that some individuals don't have access to adequate nutrition. Mentioning this food insecurity evokes feelings of empathy and demonstrates an effective use of pathos.