Iliad

Many writers use several diverse ways to persuade readers into believing them. Some writers may tell a story, provide facts and information, or other ideas to encourage his or her reader to agree with the argument. Aristotle's rhetorical triangle describes three diverse appeals: logos, pathos, and ethos. Logos is based on facts and reasons explaining logical arguments that rely on information and evidence. Logos is built with enough evidence, data, statistics, and reliable information. Another type of appeal is pathos, which attracts the reader's emotions and feelings into the work. Many writers who use pathos tend to write about their personal experience and by diction and tone. In addition to logos and pathos, ethos corresponds with character and value, which describes certain values with specific kinds of groups. Several writers tend to use the diverse appeals in a variety of ways. Two examples that rely on logos and pathos are, "One Picture is Worth a Thousand Diets," by W. Charisse Goodman, and "The Good Death," by .Marilyn Webb

The three diverse appeals are used in many different works of literature. Many writers use the appeal logos to explain an idea or for an effective argument. Logos is made up of facts and supporting details to back up the author's claim. For instance, in the essay "One Picture is Worth a Thousand Diets," Goodman uses logos to state his argument about fat women vs. thin women. Throughout the essay he uses statistics, critical numbers, and also facts with evidence. "An examination of almost 160 commercials-after that point, it was either stop or incinerate the TV set-contribute 120 ads featuring thin women exclusively, 27 ads depicting heavy males, mostly in a normal or positive light, and all of 12 heavy women, half of whom, interestingly, were either African-American, older, or both" (Goodman 408). The example illustrated above displays how Goodman used the logos appeal by providing the reader with exact numbers and information backed up with evidence. The information provided helps the reader appreciate the author in a respectable way and also builds trust in the author. The appeal allows the reader to connect with the essay and understand what the writer is trying to present. Using reliable information enables the reader the trust the writer and agrees with his or her idea. Furthermore, Goodman randomly surveyed 70 movies "only 17 had any large female characters at all in the script, most of whom represented the standard domineering mother figure, the comically unattractive woman, the whore figure, and Bates as her Misery psychopath character. Only six of these 17 films presented a big woman as a positive figure (410)." The quote demonstrates how Goodman focuses on using information provided with evidence. In addition to surveys and critical numbers, Goodman also enhances the essay by using strong words and phrases. "Message to all large women: You're not sexy. The only beautiful woman is a thin woman," illustrates how the media views large women all around the world (410). Goodman also demonstrated that "out of 324 ads by men seeking women in which the men specified body size, 312 requested, or rather demanded a thin body type (411)." Using the quote above portrays how the male figure view women all around the world and Goodman's use of reliable information helps the reader trust and believe in him. Goodman strongly portrays his opinion on how all women should be treated equally by using surveys, strong evidence, and critical numbers. Goodman's essay enables the reader to believe all the facts and information provided in the essay. The writer has used many examples and statistical evidence to make his point, which makes the reader feel like he or she can trust Goodman. Using specific details and evidence enables the reader to trust the author in a more respectable way. The more evidence an author provides, the faster the reader will agree with his or her argument. The use of Goodman's many examples helps the reader believe that he has done enough research and gathered plenty of information for the reader to believe his argument. According to many people, the more data and research included, the more people will gain trust in the author. Thus, people throughout the world tend to believe and trust others that have proof and strong evidence with their arguments. Goodman has illustrated the appeal, logos, amazingly and persuades the reader into believing his thought and ideas. Furthermore, many writers tend to use a variety of appeals in an argument, but when trying to persuade an individual into believing the author's thoughts and ideas, the author tends to use the emotional appeal or pathos.

Another type of appeal used is pathos. Pathos illustrates emotions and feelings to persuade the reader into agreeing with the idea presented in the essay. Using a personal story, specific diction, and tone helps the author illustrate his argument claim in a more detailed and persuasive way. In the essay, "The Good Death," Marilyn Webb tells a personal story to grab the reader's attention. She begins her essay talking about how "the most magnificent times were spent with people who were dying," which grabs the reader's attention (Webb 714). The quote encourages the reader to think about personal experiences with matters of death, and the reader also becomes attached to the writer. Webb writes her essay based on a personal story to help the reader deal with death a better fashion. For instance, "her body had swelled, she'd grown weak, she'd long been vomiting blood, her skin had yellowed," illustrates a mental image causing the reader to feel the pain and confusion the writer is feeling (715). As the reader reads through the essay, he or she feels a powerful connection between him or her and the writer. The reader becomes attached and becomes one with