Examining Arguments

Ethos = The imaginary person your reader thinks of when they read your work. Usually changes for each assignment you write.

Problems to look out for : Ethos too low (don’t sound well-informed, appear “amateurish”)

- When you use simple, formulaic organization patterns, you don’t appear like an interesting, well-developed writer. Creativity suggests skill.

- Not addressing issues on local terms creates a “distant” ethos, souse “we” when appropriate + analyze facts in terms of local, everyday life

Ethos too high (sound too analytical, sound like an outsider)

- When you use complicated words, avoid natural/conversational contractions, or act infallible (speak like you think your never wrong)

- When you look at things from an impossibly large perspective (people believe they are unique, different from the larger issue itself)

Avoiding a perspective that is too large

Small annoyances are equally if not more persuasive than large, dangerous, “extreme” concerns, because most people “don’t believe it will happen to them”. These also have the advantage of being local.

Ex) Drunk driving = deadly, dangerous and a loss of control

But we don’t really believe we’ll die if I drive drunk (that’s why we do it sometimes). I drive sober b/c I hate to take the long way from the bar searching for cops and making sure I don’t get caught drunk driving, pay a fine and probably lose my license for 6 months. Which consequence is worse—a fine, or dying in a wreck?

Ex) Seatbelts = will save your life in an accident. You may die if you don’t wear one.

But I don’t really believe I will die when I leave my seatbelt off (that’s why I don’t use it). I just want to avoid a $100 fine!

So make your claims specific, local, and constructed for your audience:

Ex) Alcohol causes brain damage (serious brain damage, too).

A Virginia Tech publication says that Alcohol can impair your memory for up to 72 hours. That means you may not get brain damage from a little weeknight drinking, but you will have a harder time remembering the answers to the test you’ll take later this week. This evidence is also strong because it’s not common knowledge.

Ex) Alcohol impairs motor function (ability to move and control your body)

You probably won’t develop a serious muscle condition (although you could), but you’ll have a harder time working the keys to your front door when you invite your girlfriend back to your apartment, and I won’t even mention what might (or might not) happen in the bedroom! (Local, preys on male insecurity)

Ex) Alcohol puts you in a vulnerable position for robbers and criminals.

Remember the KSU mugger? Do you think you’d be an easy target for a criminal as you stumble to your apartment at 2 am? (The mugger assaulted 2 students at Eagle’s Landing, remember)