Visual Lesson
Persuasive Appeals
The three classic ways to persuade — ethos, pathos, and logos — with real statements to sort.
See it
Three ways to persuade
Speakers and writers convince us in three classic ways. Meet the trio, then sort real statements below.
Ethos
trust & character
“As a doctor, I know exercise matters.”
Pathos
feelings & emotion
“Imagine the lonely puppy waiting for a home.”
Logos
logic & facts
“Studies show daily readers score higher.”
Which appeal? · Round 1 of 3
Tap a statement, then tap the appeal it uses.
🤝 Ethos — an appeal to credibility and trust (an expert, honest character).
❤️ Pathos — an appeal to emotion (hope, kindness, worry, joy).
🧠 Logos — an appeal to logic with facts, numbers, and reasons.
What are ethos, pathos, and logos?
Every time someone tries to convince you — an ad, an essay, a speech, even a friend — they lean on one of three classic appeals first named by the Greek thinker Aristotle. Ethos appeals to credibility and trust (“I’m an expert; I care about you”). Pathos appeals to emotion (hope, kindness, worry, joy). Logos appeals to logic with facts, numbers, and reasons. The strongest writing often blends all three.
How to use this tool
- Start with the “See it” card to meet the three appeals, each with an example.
- In the sort board, tap a statement, then tap the appeal it uses.
- Correct picks lock in green; a wrong pick gently bounces back so you can rethink it.
- Use Next round for fresh statements, or Shuffle to mix the current ones.
Why it helps
Naming the appeal behind a claim is the heart of rhetorical analysis. Sorting real, everyday statements — about recycling, reading, kindness, and healthy habits — turns an abstract idea into a skill students can spot in any argument and put to work in their own persuasive writing.
Good for
Middle and high school (grades 6–12) reading, writing, and persuasive-essay units.
Bring it to a lesson
These tools pair with the full curriculum — guided lessons that teach each concept, then send you here to see it and practice.