English Composition

Rhetorical Appeals in Persuasive Writing

How do people use language to change the world? Aristotle’s Treatise on Rhetoric, written over 2,000 years ago, breaks persuasive speech into three core appeals—ethos (credibility), logos (logic), and pathos (emotion)—and outlines three types of speech: forensic (about the past), epideictic (about the present), and deliberative (focused on the future). In this mini-lesson, you’ll analyze deliberative rhetoric—used by politicians, activists, and everyday writers to imagine better futures—and examine how rhetorical appeals shape persuasive power.

Watch the following video and then answer the questions.

Aristotle describes deliberative rhetoric as focused on the future—urging action or warning of consequences. Choose one example from the video (e.g., Ronald Reagan, MLK Jr.) and explain how that speaker uses the future to persuade. What outcome do they ask the audience to imagine or act on?

Pick one rhetorical appeal—ethos, logos, or pathos—from the video. How does a speaker use this appeal to gain trust, reason through a point, or stir emotion? Be specific and explain how it supports their persuasive goal.

Think of a moment when someone persuaded you to change your mind—through writing, a speech, or even a conversation. What rhetorical appeal do you think they used most effectively? How did it shape your response?




SAMPLE ANSWERS:


Question 1:

Strong Answer:

In his “I Have a Dream” speech, Martin Luther King Jr. uses deliberative rhetoric to urge his audience toward a vision of racial equality and justice. He doesn’t just describe a better future—he asks his audience to make it happen through nonviolent protest, civic engagement, and moral courage. By painting vivid images—Black and white children joining hands, justice rolling down like waters—he taps into both hope and urgency. This imagined future shifts the audience’s mindset from passive hope to active responsibility. King is not only inspiring; he’s demanding that people see justice as a goal worth fighting for now.

Weak Answer:

MLK talks about the future a lot. He says things will be better one day. It makes people feel good and want to support him.


Question 2:

Strong Answer:

Sojourner Truth uses logos when she questions why women aren’t treated equally if Christ came from a woman. Her logic is simple but powerful, and it forces the audience to confront their own contradictions. By using reason in a clear and direct way, she strengthens her argument for gender equality and challenges the audience to rethink their assumptions.

Weak Answer:

She used pathos because it was emotional. It made people feel stuff and that helped her get her point across.


Question 3:

Strong Answer:

I used to think climate change wasn’t a major concern, but after watching a speech by Greta Thunberg, I started paying more attention. She used pathos by talking about how her generation would suffer if no action was taken. Her emotion felt genuine, not manipulative, and it made me realize I hadn’t really considered the human cost. That emotional appeal pushed me to start reading more and changing some of my habits.

Weak Answer:

Someone made me change my mind once by being really convincing. I think they used logos or something. It just made sense so I agreed.