Ethos
e·thos noun
the writers character as it is projected in the message
Ethos refers to the credibility of the writer and stems from how the writer conveys his or her message within an argument, as well as, the writer's reputation for honesty and expertise outside of the work. When analyzing the ethos presented in an argument some questions to ask are: how did the writer effectively present himself? How is the writer credible and trustworthy? If done correctly, ethos will allow the work to have ethical appeal towards the audience (Inventing Arguments).
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There are many ways that a writer can convey ethos within an argument some include:
- The writer's investment in his or her claim - The fairness with which the writer considers alternative views - The tone and style of the message - The messages professional appearance on paper or screen - The use of correct grammar and spelling - The use of correct formats for citations and bibliographies (Inventing Arguments). |
There are two forms of ethos: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic ethos refers to the reputation of the author outside of the intended argument and how it affects the credibility of the work. Intrinsic ethos is how the author creates trust within the speech (refer to the bulleted points above).
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