The modes of persuasion are devices in rhetoric that classify the speaker's appeal to the audience. They are: ethos, pathos and logos. Rhetoric (from Greek ρήτωρ, rhêtôr, orator, teacher) is the art or technique of persuasion, usually through the use of language. ... Ethos (ἦθος) is a Greek word originally meaning the place of living that can be translated into English in different ways. ... Look up Pathos in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Greek word λόγος or logos is a word with various meanings. ...

Aristotle's On Rhetoric describes the modes of persuasion as thus: Aristotle (Ancient Greek: , Aristotélēs) (384 BC – March 7, 322 BC) was an ancient Greek philosopher, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. ...

Persuasion is clearly a sort of demonstration, since we are most fully persuaded when we consider a thing to have been demonstrated.

Of the modes of persuasion furnished by the spoken word there are three kinds. [...] Persuasion is achieved by the speaker's personal character when the speech is so spoken as to make us think him credible. [...] Secondly, persuasion may come through the hearers, when the speech stirs their emotions. [...] Thirdly, persuasion is effected through the speech itself when we have proved a truth or an apparent truth by means of the persuasive arguments suitable to the case in question.

Ethos

Main article: Ethos

Ethos is how well the speaker convinces the audience that he or she is qualified to speak on the particular subject. It can be done in many ways: Ethos (ἦθος) is a Greek word originally meaning the place of living that can be translated into English in different ways. ...

• By being a notable figure in the field in question, such as a college professor or an executive of a company who's business is that of the subject.
• By having a vested interest in a matter, such as being related to the person in question.
• By showing impressive logos that shows the audience the speaker is knowledgeable on the topic.

Pathos

Main article: Pathos

Pathos is an appeal to the audience’s emotions. It can be in the form of metaphor, simile, a passionate delivery, or even a simple claim that a matter is unjust. Pathos can be particularly powerful if used properly, but most speeches do not solely rely on Pathos. Look up Pathos in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... In language, a metaphor (from the Greek: metapherin) is a rhetorical trope defined as a direct comparison between two or more seemingly unrelated subjects. ... A simile is a figure of speech in which the subject is compared to another subject. ...

Logos

Main article: Logos

Logos is logical appeal, and indeed the term logic is derived from it. It is normally used to describe facts and figures that support the speaker's topic. Since data is difficult to manipulate, especially if from a trusted source, logos may sway cynical listeners. Having a logos appeal also enhances ethos (see above) because information makes the speaker look knowledgeable and prepared to his audience. However, data can be confusing and thus confuse the audience. Logos can also be misleading or inaccurate. The Greek word λόγος or logos is a word with various meanings. ... The three modes of appeal are devices in rhetoric that classify the speakers appeal to the audience. ...

When all three modes of persuasion are used together, a speaker or writer can create very strong arguments.