Ethos: Arguments Based On Character Work
Ethos Chapter
3 October 2011
I. Introduction a. Writers create ethos through reputation and the language, evidence, and images used. b. Readers must respect authority before accepting their words. c. Particular character will not appeal to every kind of audience. II. Understand How Arguments Based on Character Work d. People well turn to “experts” to have a shortcut in their decisions. e. It may just be people who have earned respect on that subject. III. Claiming Authority f. When you write you must believe that people will wonder and question your authority. g. Maybe not scientific expertise, but personal experience. h. Having profession titles also can endorse trust. i. Small signals of authority can be picked up almost subconsciously IV. Establishing Credibility j. Humor puts a listener at ease, and helps them identify k. Listen to people confident enough to make fun of themselves. …show more content…
Mostly what was interesting to me was the fact that we mostly base our trust on the character of a person. Maybe if they back up their statements with facts we will believe, but it all starts with the character of a person. I also had never thought that people started with humor because they needed to connect, and bring themselves to a trusting level with their audience. Another thing I had not thought of was that readers will always question their writers, even subconsciously, about many different subjects. One main point I did not understand completely was talking about motives, and how saying conflicts of interest would help you connect to your reader, besides just on a trust level. Besides that I thought this chapter was very interesting, and contained many things that made sense, but I had never thought about or questioned
3 October 2011
I. Introduction a. Writers create ethos through reputation and the language, evidence, and images used. b. Readers must respect authority before accepting their words. c. Particular character will not appeal to every kind of audience. II. Understand How Arguments Based on Character Work d. People well turn to “experts” to have a shortcut in their decisions. e. It may just be people who have earned respect on that subject. III. Claiming Authority f. When you write you must believe that people will wonder and question your authority. g. Maybe not scientific expertise, but personal experience. h. Having profession titles also can endorse trust. i. Small signals of authority can be picked up almost subconsciously IV. Establishing Credibility j. Humor puts a listener at ease, and helps them identify k. Listen to people confident enough to make fun of themselves. …show more content…
Mostly what was interesting to me was the fact that we mostly base our trust on the character of a person. Maybe if they back up their statements with facts we will believe, but it all starts with the character of a person. I also had never thought that people started with humor because they needed to connect, and bring themselves to a trusting level with their audience. Another thing I had not thought of was that readers will always question their writers, even subconsciously, about many different subjects. One main point I did not understand completely was talking about motives, and how saying conflicts of interest would help you connect to your reader, besides just on a trust level. Besides that I thought this chapter was very interesting, and contained many things that made sense, but I had never thought about or questioned