Page 478 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

your writing and if you construct a paper that does not distract the
reader with poor grammar and careless errors.

Pathos (payth-ahse or payth-ohse), in Aristotle’s framework, has to do

with persuading your reader with appeals to emotion and feeling. The

Greek word pathos is at the root of the English words sympathy and

empathy, both of which deal with a feeling of connection between
people. Here are three ways to connect with your reader more easily:

Know your reader. When you write an essay, it’s good to know who

your intended audience is. How much are they likely to know about

your subject? What is their position likely to be? For example, if you

are writing about using a designated driver, your primary audience is
probably people who drive to destinations where alcohol is served.

However, anyone who shares the same roads or who has loved ones

who drive will be a secondary, and supportive, audience. Knowing

your audience makes it easier to persuade your audience.

Remember that tone is important. Have you ever heard someone

say, “It wasn’t so much what he said; it was the way he said it”?

People take offense if they feel they are being talked down to or

lectured to. Your goal is to make your tone conversational, peer-to-

peer, as though you are talking to someone you know and like.

Engage your reader with anecdotes and examples. Stories and

examples can liven your writing and draw your reader in. Here is

where you provide specific examples, real or hypothetical, to back up

and drive home your argument.