Ethos, Logos In Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And Atticus Finch

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, rhetoric is defined as â€Å"the art of speaking as a means of communication or persuasion†. In other words, rhetoric is the way a speaker convinces an audience to approach a given issue from a preferred perspective. Speakers may utilize the following appeals to win an audience’s favor: ethos, logos, and pathos. Ethos refers to the speakers incorporation of the audience’s ethical responsibilities. A speaker also uses ethos to establish credibility. Logos is the speakers use of logic and reasoning by way of factual evidence. Lastly, a speaker may use pathos to engage the audience’s emotions. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Atticus Finch are outstanding examples of speakers who effectively utilize†¦show more content†¦For starters, they utilize factual U.S. history in each speech. In paragraph four of â€Å"To Kill a Mockingbird† it says, â€Å"Thomas Jefferson once said that all men are created equal. † Here Finch is talking about the Declaration of Independence. Though Finch quotes from a U.S. document, King actually uses some in his speech. On page one of â€Å"I Have a Dream† it states, â€Å"Five score ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation.† This is where King brings in the U.S. document to back up his cause even more. Also, it is evident that King had more logos throughout his speech than Finch did. On page one, paragraph 4, of â€Å"I Have a Dream† it says, â€Å"When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent word of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir.† In the end, King had more information to back up his speech, unlike Finch. He still had a very supported and legitimate speech. Lastly, the speaker’s application of pathos share some similarities and differences as we ll. Both King and Finch were trying to invoke a feeling of injustice in their speeches. In â€Å"To Kill a Mockingbird†, Finch says, â€Å"They have presented themselves in the cynical confidence that their testimony would not be doubted.† He wanted the audience to feel upset about the fact that since they are white, they will automaticallyShow MoreRelated##hetorical Appeals Of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And Atticus Finch957 Words   |  4 PagesSpeakers may utilize the following appeals to win the audiences favor: ethos, logos, and pathos. Ethos refers to the speakers incorporation of the audience’s ethical responsibilities. A speaker also uses ethos to establish credibility. Logos is the speaker’s use of logic and reasoning by a way of factual evidence. Lastly, a speaker may use pathos to engage the audiences emotions. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Atticus Finch are outstanding examples of speakers who effectively utilize rhetoric and