Pathos, Logos, and Ethos, Essay Example

Having an understanding of Pathos, logos, and ethos is very important when trying to persuade someone using an essay or speech. People are moved by various emotions. Some people are more easily moved by pathos, others by logos, and others by ethos. As a result, it is very important to use a combination of the three in a persuasive piece.

First, one should consider the logic argument. In the case of women being able to drive, the obvious or logical conclusion is that they should be able to. This is easy to logic because having women to be able to drive is not something that would be detrimental to others. Having women drive would not infringe upon the rights of men drivers. First, I pointed out issues that would call for a woman to be able to drive. For example, having lunch with friends or taking kids to and from school. This appealed to the logic of women everywhere because it is a common task. By appealing to the “every man” scenario, I hoped to convince the reader that it is the only logical solution to the problem.

Next, one should appeal to Pathos or emotions-something every human being has. Here I gave examples of how few rights women actually have in Saudi Arabia. One example was the fact that women must be accompanied by a male figure at all times. This is impossible to believe. A young male child will eventually be able to have authority over his mother. To the average woman in the United States, this is outrageous. Women and girls are forbidden to leave home. In my opinion, forbidding them to drive is just away to maintain control over them. By not allowing them to drive, men secure women’s dependency on them for the simplest tasks. Being able to go seek medical attention is something that every human being should have access to. However, in Saudi Arabia, women cannot go to doctor or clinic without a male escort or written permission from a male figure.  Any female who has needed medical attention, which will be essentially the entire female population, can relate to the outrage I feel about this matter.

Finally, Ethos is the most important. I believe that my audience will believe me or find me as a credible source because I am a Native of Saudi Arabia. This is personal to me because I have experienced it. This alone makes me an expert. This gives validity to my argument that women should be able to drive. Also, people who know me will fell more apt to help because I am a normal person like them. My story has put a face on the problem. Because they know me, they now understand how real the problem is. It is no longer something that is happening to people in another country. Finally, by using a famous person who has the same belief as I do makes the argument even more credible.

In conclusion, appealing to Pathos, Logos, and Ethos is very effective in persuading someone to support a cause. Every woman knows what her life would be like if her ability to drive a vehicle was suddenly taken away. Each woman can visualize what a day would be like if she had to driven everywhere she went. Emotions are evoked by the thought of a woman of 70 being thrown in jail. Finally, the emotion of anger is evoked. People who feel it is unfair for women to be treated like subjects and property rather than human beings capable of governing themselves. Overall, the PowerPoint should evoke action from its readers. After listening, they should want to advocate for women rights in Saudi Arabia.