Logos, Pathos, and Ethos Defined

9th GradeELA50 min

Learning Objective

I can define logos, pathos, and ethos and explain how they are used in persuasive writing.

Lesson Flow

Watch Video

5 min

Rhetorical devices and appeals | Reading | Khan Academy

Khan Academy

Guided Notes

10 min

Key concepts students will learn:

  • Rhetoric is the art of persuasion, and understanding its tools allows you to craft and analyze effective arguments.

  • Rhetorical devices like similes, metaphors, and hyperbole are figures of speech that make meaning through comparison or overstatement.

  • The three rhetorical appeals are logos (logic), pathos (emotion), and ethos (authority).

Practice

15 min

12 questions • Multiple choice & Short answer

Exit Ticket

5 min

Define logos, pathos, and ethos in your own words. Give a brief example of how each could be used in an argument.

Teacher Guide

Get the complete package:

  • Answer keys for all questions
  • Differentiation strategies
  • Extension activities
  • Printable student handouts