Aristotle's three proofs, sometimes called the rhetorical appeals—ethos, pathos, and logos—are essential tools for writing any speech. In fact, they are one of the main ways of critiquing a speech, and because of that, you’ll need to consider the ways you can strengthen your logos, pathos, and ethos as you prepare to give a speech.
Ethos appeals to the speaker's credibility, pathos appeals to the audience's emotions, and logos appeals to logical reasoning. By integrating these elements into your speech outline, you create a balanced and compelling argument that resonates with your audience.
Here are some examples of logos, pathos, and ethos:
- Logos (the appeal of reason)
- Logical flow of the argument and speech structure
- Sources and evidence that support the claims being made
- Supports the informational needs of the audience
- Pathos (the appeal of emotion)
- The audience feels what the speaker intends
- The audience’s preferences and beliefs
- Correlation between the speaker’s demeanor and their intent for the audience
- Ethos (the appeal of character)
- Overall preparation and expertise/confidence
- Physical appearance
- Speaking delivery and dynamism
- Context provided by the situation
Here is an example of how this works in a persuasive speech:
Speech Topic - The Importance of Renewable Energy
- Ethos
- Mention your experience or interest in environmental science or energy policy.
- Cite credible sources and experts who research or work in renewable energy.
- Pathos
- Share a personal story about witnessing the effects of pollution or climate change.
- Use vivid imagery to describe the beauty of natural landscapes that renewable energy can help preserve.
- Logos
- Present statistics on the environmental and economic benefits of renewable energy.
- Use logical arguments to explain how renewable energy reduces carbon emissions and creates job opportunities.