Question

lets focus on logos
logos is an appeal to logic; it is a means of convincing the audience through rational thought and reason.
how can you incorporate logos?

• you can use research and statistics to back - up your arguments. (87% of students benefit from textbooks, so...)
• you can use logical processes to explain your point - if this... then.... (if you dont want gum disease, then you should brush regularly.)
• you must give convincing, solid evidence and reasons to support your claims. (i need a car; it would make me more independent; save me money; improve my life.)

why use logos? if you can present a logical, rational argument to your audience, which engages their intellect and sense of reason, they are more likely to be persuaded.
task one: for each of the following, explain whether or not you think that logos is being used effectively.

	effective? (yes/no)	explain
\all men and women will die. you are a man. therefore, you will die one day.\	1
\everyone has children. therefore, everyone needs to think about the schooling of his or her children.\	2
\you dont need to jump in front of a train to know its a bad idea; so why do you need to try drugs to know if theyre damaging?\	3
\cigarette smoke contains over 4,800 chemicals, 69 of which are known to cause cancer. so why start smoking?\	4
\every morning the rooster crows, then the sun rises. therefore the rooster causes the sun to rise.\	5

Explanation:

1. Effective? Yes

• This is a valid use of logos. It is a syllogism - a logical argument where a conclusion is derived from two premises. The general premise is that all men and women will die, and the specific premise is that the person addressed is a man. The conclusion that the person will die one day follows logically.

1. Effective? No

• The first premise “Everyone has children” is a false and over - generalized statement. Since the initial premise is not true, the argument about everyone needing to think about their children's schooling is not an effective use of logos as it is based on a faulty foundation.

1. Effective? Yes

• This uses a logical process. It presents a general logical principle (you don't need to jump in front of a train to know it's bad) and applies it to a similar situation (you don't need to try drugs to know they are damaging), making a rational and convincing argument.

1. Effective? Yes

• It uses factual evidence (cigarette smoke contains over 4,800 chemicals, 69 of which are known to cause cancer) to build a logical argument against starting smoking. The facts support the conclusion that starting smoking is a bad idea.

1. Effective? No

• This is a case of false - cause fallacy. Just because the rooster crows before the sun rises does not mean the rooster causes the sun to rise. There is no logical causal link between the two events.

Answer:

1. Effective? Yes. Explanation: Follows logical syllogism.
2. Effective? No. Explanation: Based on false generalization.
3. Effective? Yes. Explanation: Applies logical principle.
4. Effective? Yes. Explanation: Uses factual evidence.
5. Effective? No. Explanation: False - cause fallacy.