The Rhetorical Triangle

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the function and significance of the rhetorical triangle's three elements: ethos, logos and pathos. The paper also shows how a well-rounded argument is not possible unless each of these components is in place. Moreover, the paper emphasizes how if a writer is not mindful of the rhetorical triangle, his or her efforts to influence others is usually doomed to failure.

From the Paper:

"The Rhetorical Triangle or Aristotelian Triad is often misunderstood by students for no other reason than they are not used to applying it when writing argumentative essays. Be that as it may, it is important to understand how to use the Rhetorical Triangle and each of its component parts for no other reason than that, if you cannot, someone who is arguing against you might be able to do so - and that could lead to their ideas, and not yours, gaining pre-eminence. To start with, the Rhetorical Triangle has three parts - the ethos, the logos, and the pathos. The first element is basically how the writer presents him or herself: does he or she engage in "cheapshots?" Is the writer well-informed and balanced in his/her assessment of the topic? Is there an effort to establish a "common ground" with the reader? "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Sigalas, Joseph. "The Rhetorical Triangle." Writing Resources: UGA Writing Center. 2007. University of Georgia. 9 Jun. 2007 <http://www.english.uga.edu/writingcenter/writing/triangle.html>

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