Question

Create a brief argument using all the Toulmin elements and label each element in your argument.

Answer 1

Ethos: Ethos is the Greek word for “character.” The word “ethic” is derived from ethos. It is the ethical appeal which is associated with the author’s credibility or character. It is the element which convinces audiences and receiver of the author’s credibility. The artful employment of Ethos plays a crucial role in impression management as it is related to drawing the amount of attention and respect from the audience. Having ethos remains a major criterion in holding a responsible post.

Example: Generally, ethos is employed and delivered during public speaking events. In order to draw a considerable amount of attention from the audience and also to indicate the value, a speaker introduces his accomplishments and expertise. Then, the speaker chooses appropriate language for the audience and topic. In this the speaker uses carefully chosen words, using correct grammar and syntax so that the speaker does not sound unfair or bias. The Stanford Commencement Speech by Steve Jobs. June 12, 2005, in which he describes the accounts by which apple develops can be a good example.

Pathos: Pathos is the Greek word for both “suffering” and “experience.” The words empathy and pathetic are derived from pathos. It is the capacity of the author or the speaker to employ the emotional aspect in order to create an emotional appeal to the audience. Its functional aspect is to draw a considerable degree of sympathy and concern from the audience. The use of pathos is evident in times when there are revolutionary and mass movements and when the leader addresses the masses by invoking the need to take an immediate course of action.

Example: In a gathering of massive people for a cause, a probable leader chooses specific words that carry strong meanings of anger, inspiration, or passion. He/ she uses the words in an emotional tone or often stir up emotional outburst amongst the listeners. Stories, anecdotes, which are contextual are also incorporated with an aim to stir up the listener’s empathy. The speech I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King Jr. August 28th, 1963, is one outstanding example of pathos.

Logos: Logos is the Greek word for “word”. But this has the limitation of implying the true definition and the definition goes beyond this word. It is described as “the word by which the inward thought is expressed" and, "the inward thought itself". It is mainly the logical and theoretical use of facts to interlink the causal relationship between events. Logos are used mainly in reports of science and social sciences in which words are coherently presented to the readers in a logical manner.

Example: It uses advanced, theoretical or abstract language, citing facts (very important), using historical and literal analogies, and by constructing logical arguments. Most of the journals, newspaper articles, opinions and findings are crafted by employing logos. It can be a valuable article related to any policy or planning.