Explanation:

Pathos represents an appeal to the emotions of an audience.

An emotional appeal uses the manipulation of the emotions rather than valid logic to win an argument.

Emotional appeal is a logical FALLACY, whereby a debater attempts to win an argument by trying to get an emotional reaction from the opponent and audience.

In debating terms, emotional appeals are often effective as a rhetorical device, but are generally considered naive or dishonest as a logical argument, since they often appeal to the prejudices of listeners rather than offer a sober assessment of a situation.

Key Terms

logical fallacy: A fallacy; a clearly defined error in reasoning used to support or refute an argument, EXCLUDING simple unintended mistakes.

Emotional Appeal Defined

Pathos represents an appeal to the audience’s emotions. Pathos is a communication technique used most often in rhetoric (where it is considered one of the THREE modes of persuasion, alongside ethos and logos), and in literature, film, and other narrative art.

Emotional appeal can be accomplished in a multitude of ways:

By a metaphor or storytelling, common as a hook

By a general PASSION in the delivery

By an overall emotion

By the SYMPATHIES of the speech or writing as determined by the audience

The pathos of a speech or writing is only ultimately determined by the audience.