Ethos, Pathos, and Logos :: Argument

Strength of Argument Ethos, Pathos, and Logos bell meat hookss essay, Keeping Close to Home, uses three important components of argument (ethos, pathos, and logos) to support her claim. hooks develops her essay by establishing credibility with her audience, appealing to the readers logic, and stirring their emotions. She questions the role a university should play in the life of a nation, claiming that higher teaching method should not tear a student away from his roots, but do him to build an education upon his background.bell hooks gains the trust and credibility of readers through knowledge of the topic at hand, establishing common ground with the audience, and demonstrating fairness. Ethos is the distinguishing moral character of a writer that instills faith in the audience. bell hooks is a well honor writer and teacher known for her strong opinion and academic background. She establishes her credentials through her personal struggles with the university system and he r efforts to maintain her own individuality and background. The reader gains respect for hooks as she courageously resists the pressure to adapt to her new academic life. For example she says, It is my responsibility to formulate a way of being that will allow me to accede fully in my new environment while integrating and maintaining aspects of the old (hooks 92). bell hooks writes not only to help others find strength to sustenance on to their pasts, but for her own resistance as well. Her audience is assured by her motives to educate and inform.Whereas hookss personal experience srenghtens her ethos, a original rigidity used in addressing the audience simultaneously weakens her credibilty. For example, hookss tendency to label academics and groups unlike 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 me ssage. This tendency causes her argument to sound one-sided and prevents a formation of common ground. hookss efforts to help others preserve the background that enables ones self development in the present, that sustains and supports, that enrichs however, prevents her voice and opinions from being ignored (91).bell hookss use of tenacious evidence is not as strong as her ethos. With the aid of facts and studies, an authors