Chapter 2, titled Arguments Based on Emotion: Pathos was about how pathos has an important role in arguments. From my opinion, any argument I see that has pathos is the strongest. It just makes me feel more connected to the problem. The most obvious emotions visible in a visual argument are happy and sad. You can simply look at the subject and immediately tell the emotional state. Ads not only have to appeal to your emotions, but they could also intrigue you or persuade you to like a product. Companies do this by marketing. For an example, picture a good-looking male or female using a diet plan that is being advertised. Most people think that if the diet plan works well for that person, then the viewer thinks he will look like that. Using pathos verbally is also very strong. Most public speakers are very well in using words that really get the listeners attention. For an example, Barack Obama started his campaign for president by using the single emotion of hope. There are also special techniques to use in writing to persuade the reader emotionally. You can make them feel pity toward a certain situation, make them feel an impact, by, say, telling a moving story. But too much pity isn’t always good. Sometimes its could make a reader feel awkward or insecure. Another very important part of pathos is humor, and the happy side of feeling emotion. I feel like if something is funny to someone, they will remember it better. As told in the textbook, it’s hard to say no when you’re laughing. Using humor puts readers, viewers or listeners in ease and makes them understand the argument better. But not all humor is good. Too much or too strong of humor could be ridicule and offending. I posted a picture of an example of a strong emotion. It’s hard to not feel bad for this innocent infant who is crying.
