Ethos, Pathos, and Logos :: Argument

Strength of Argument Ethos, Pathos, and discussion bell hookss essay, Keeping Close to Home, uses third important components of argument (ethos, pathos, and logos) to support her claim. hooks develops her essay by establishing credibleness with her audience, appealing to the subscribers logic, and stirring their emotions. She questions the role a university should adjoin in the life of a nation, claiming that higher statement should not snap a student away from his roots, but sustain him to build an education upon his background.bell hooks gains the trust and credibility of readers through knowledge of the root at hand, establishing common ground with the audience, and demonstrating fairness. Ethos is the distinguishing moral character of a source that instills faith in the audience. bell hooks is a well respected writer and teacher known for her strong opinion and academic background. She establishes her security through her personal struggles with the university s ystem and her efforts to maintain her own individuality and background. The reader gains respect for hooks as she courageously resists the pressure to adapt to her upstart academic life. For example she says, It is my responsibility to formulate a way of being that will allow me to participate fully in my new environment plot integrating and maintaining aspects of the old (hooks 92). bell hooks writes not only to help others find strength to hold on to their pasts, but for her own oppositeness as well. Her audience is assured by her motives to educate and inform.Whereas hookss personal experience srenghtens her ethos, a certain rigidity used in addressing the audience simultaneously weakens her credibilty. For example, hookss tendency to label academics and groups strange herself pushes the reader to see her as self-righteous. She separates people into classes of those she percieves as right and those she sees as wrong. Thus, she creates a smaller audience of readers and weakens her message. This tendency causes her argument to sound colorful and prevents a formation of common ground. hookss efforts to help others support the background that enables ones self development in the present, that sustains and supports, that enrichs however, prevents her verbalize and opinions from being ignored (91).bell hookss use of sensible evidence is not as strong as her ethos. With the aid of facts and studies, an writers