Question

The goal of this paper is to practice identifying and evaluating how an author uses the rhetorical appeals of ethos, pathos, and logos in their writing. After reading the essay “Designed to Addict” by Mary Aiken, describe the ways she uses these three methods of rhetorical appeal: how does she present herself and establish an authorial persona? How does she rely on the emotions of the audience to achieve her purpose? How does she establish a chain of reasoning in her essay by which she moves from premises to conclusions, from evidence to claims? How does Aiken use all three appeals and is her use effective or not in helping her to achieve her goal for the essay?

Answer 1

Ethos is ethical appeal; Pathos - emotional appeal; logos-logical appeal.

In her essay, "Designed to addict", Mary Aiken uses these three appeals in a presentable manner.She questions facebook for failure to implement systems to restrain children on its website (ethos); She appeals to the parents on the vulnerabilites of exposing their children to technology; She reminds of logical ways which can be put in place to have control on the impact of tcehnology on children and youth.

She uses her credentials of doctorate to make herself and her speech credible.

The author moves from each type of reasoning-ethical, emotional and logical and taps the senses of the audience. She provides a statement and immediately follows it with facts and figures making it a strong statement. To draw interest on the subject, she puts across the possible negative consequences of presenting youth and children to the technology. She does not tap the fear but also provides ways what needs to be done to prevent being a target for such incidents, thus exvellently reaching her goal.