IXL | Use appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos in persuasive writing

Which statement primarily appeals to pathos, or emotion, to support the position that multitasking is a necessary skill in the twenty-first century?

If you want to survive in today's workforce, you must possess the ability to multitask; without it, you will perish.

Like most office workers, I often find myself juggling phone calls, chat messages, and emails simultaneously, making multitasking an essential skill.

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question

Which statement primarily appeals to pathos, or emotion, to support the position that positive thinking contributes to overall emotional well-being?

Positive thinking will bring a more radiant smile to your face and generate a welcoming energy that will draw others toward you.

Though some may dismiss optimism as naïve, studies have shown that positive thinking is an integral part of stress management.

key idea

The purpose of many writing tasks is to persuade readers. To accomplish this purpose, writers use persuasive strategies, or appeals. These appeals can be divided into three categories:

Appeals to ethos, or character, emphasize trustworthiness, credibility, or values shared with the audience. A writer can do this by

mentioning personal or professional credentials;
drawing on the established reputation of a person, institution, or brand;
establishing common ground with the audience.

Appeals to logos, or reason, use logic or verifiable data. A writer can do this by

citing relevant and credible statistics, facts, or studies;
explaining the logical chain of reasoning that supports a claim;
anticipating and refuting potential counterclaims.

Appeals to pathos, or emotion, attempt to activate the audience's emotions. A writer can do this by

citing dramatic stories about specific individuals;
appealing to emotions such as fear, guilt, anger, pity, or desire;
choosing words with strong connotations;
using descriptive language to create powerful images.

solution

The first statement is the correct answer. It appeals to pathos, or emotion, by evoking a strong visual image (a more radiant smile and a welcoming energy that will draw others toward you).

Positive thinking will bring a more radiant smile to your face and generate a welcoming energy that will draw others toward you.

The second statement appeals to logos, or reason, by citing relevant research.

Though some may dismiss optimism as naïve, studies have shown that positive thinking is an integral part of stress management.

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L.1Identify appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos in advertisements

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