Consider a recent election in your area. Explain how the candidates used the three artistic proofs in their campaigns. Provide examples from speeches, TV/radio commercials, or web sites to support your answer

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Answer:

Answer 1

Answers will vary but should include general information on the three artistic proofs. Ethos Aristotle considered ethosâ€"usually translated as "character"â€"the most important of the three artistic proofs. Aristotle emphasized that rhetors create ethos, or a sense of their character, by displaying to their audience good sense, moral character, and goodwill. He also included family background, attractiveness, and athletic ability as valuable assets in persuasion through ethos. Advertising commonly exploits this aspect of ethos, using famous family names, attractive models, and celebrated athletes to promote products.
Pathos refers to the rhetorical use of emotions to affect audience decision making. Speakers often use emotion to influence the audience to identify with a particular perspective. In a court case, the prosecuting lawyer may reenact the crime to help the jury see the case from the victim's point of view. An effective reenactment may influence the jury to emotionally identify, and thus side, with the prosecution rather than the defense.
Logos Although the word logos looks like "logic," it is not as narrowly defined. Rather, logos refers to reasoning or argumentation more generally. As an artistic proof, logos refers to how rhetors construct arguments or present evidence so that audiences reach a particular conclusion. For example, a lawyer may use evidence such as fingerprints to build a case and explain how a crime occurred, or a politician may point to her voting record to establish her credibility as a conservative.