Pathos

Appealing to the pathos of a reader or listener is a powerful rhetoric device because, although mildly cheesy, emotions do connect us all. Emotions are relatable and stirring- Remember when Hillary Clinton’s voice cracked when she was explaining why she wanted to become president, and her poll numbers jumped up a couple of points? She had appealed to voters’ pathos. Voters saw a more relatable Hillary in that moment, a more complex, interesting Hillary. Pathos reach out to a person and ignite to their emotions. Whether we like it or not, we are creatures driven by our emotions; underneath whatever persona we take on, we truly do want to be safe and happy. During the first stages of John McCain’s campaign, he warned Americans of future terrorist attacks. He said that another terrorist attack was imminent, and only he, as president, would be able to prevent this attack. He was purposefully installing fear in Americans, aggravating their emotions and desire for security to convince them to vote for him. This, like Hillary Clinton’s teary speech, was an appeal to pathos.
Generally, articles, speeches, and stories that appeal to the pathos are more interesting and more personal than factual statements. Emotions create a connection between the creator of the work and the viewer or listener. Emotions connect and bond us, and so when you appeal to the pathos of another, you forge a bond with this other. Emotions drive us and form our opinions, and because emotions rule us so, an appeal to pathos is a powerful rhetoric device.