Dear students of first year college English, also known here at El Camino as English 1A, it is imperative for you to develop the skill of argumentation in your writing. This includes incorporating logical, ethical, and sometimes emotional elements into your papers. Among all the techniques you will learn during your education, the most crucial one is utilizing logos in your essays. Logos refers to logic-based arguments presented in written form or media, and it greatly aids you in supporting your claims. When you employ logical reasoning in your papers, you are using undeniable facts that people find challenging to refute or naturally understand as correct.
Logos is also easy to utilize. When composing for a class, you are provided with literature to peruse and scrutinize, and without a doubt, you can locate rational arguments from the text itself to cite in your papers. Additionally, articles and information derived from reputable online sources are also examples of logos in action. However, what elevates a fact to the status of fact is typically ethos. The individuals who originate what we accept as true must be perceived as ethical and reliable; otherwise, we would not accept their word as truth. Hence, ethos is imperative – the ethical arguments found in literature and media. Why should the reader have faith in or believe what you assert?
What gives you credibility or strengthens the validity of your statements? To incorporate ethos in literature, you can narrate a personal anecdote related to your subject or draw from experiences that lend your viewpoint authority. Ethos can reinforce your logos by ensuring that the logical evidence you present in your essays originates from reputable and considerate sources. Diverse arguments can enhance the level of validity in your papers. Ultimately, you desire for your readers to have confidence in you, comprehend the message you convey, and agree with the facts you present. It is essential to consistently strive for reasonableness and ample support.
Pathos, the use of emotional statements to sway a crowd, is powerful but should be used appropriately and in moderation. As humans, we are highly emotion-based creatures capable of feeling empathy towards each other, animals, and surrounding issues. Appealing to someone’s emotions can effectively communicate but emotions can also be fickle and unpredictable. Excessive pathos can overwhelm and distract from the intended message. However, using well-placed emotional statements that evoke a heartfelt response can strengthen your argument.
It is important to engage your readers emotionally, but be careful not to overwhelm them with too much sadness or anger, as this may cause them to lose interest. As English 1A students, it is essential to present strong arguments in your essays, but remember to focus on logic and reasoning, emphasizing your logos. Back up your claims and evidence with credibility and authenticity, appealing to ethos and drawing on your own personal experiences. Infuse your writing with emotional appeal and sentiment, while never losing sight of your main point. Always remember that literature and written expression give us a voice and help us become visible. Always stand your ground and argue persuasively.
