Grade: Grade 7 Subject: English Language Arts Unit: Rhetoric SAT: Craft+Structure ACT: Reading

Text Practice

Learn

In this lesson, you will apply your knowledge of ethos, pathos, logos, and rhetorical devices by analyzing authentic texts. Being able to identify these elements in real writing is essential for both reading comprehension and your own persuasive writing.

Why Practice with Real Texts?

Authors rarely use just one rhetorical appeal or device. Instead, they combine multiple techniques to create powerful, persuasive messages. By practicing with real texts, you will learn to:

  • Recognize how appeals work together
  • Identify the primary appeal in a passage
  • Understand how rhetorical devices enhance an author's message
  • Analyze the effectiveness of rhetorical choices

Steps for Rhetorical Analysis

  1. Read the passage carefully. Note your initial reactions and the overall message.
  2. Identify the audience. Who is the author trying to reach?
  3. Look for appeals. Find examples of ethos, pathos, and logos.
  4. Spot rhetorical devices. Note any repetition, parallelism, rhetorical questions, or other devices.
  5. Evaluate effectiveness. How well do these techniques support the author's purpose?

Examples

Example 1: Speech Excerpt

"As someone who has taught in public schools for twenty years, I have seen firsthand the impact of underfunding. I have watched talented students struggle without basic supplies. I have seen teachers spend their own money just to keep their classrooms running. We cannot continue to fail our children. They deserve better. Our community deserves better. Our future depends on it."

Analysis:

  • Ethos: "As someone who has taught in public schools for twenty years" establishes credibility through experience.
  • Pathos: "watched talented students struggle" and "fail our children" evokes emotional response.
  • Logos: Specific examples (lack of supplies, teachers spending own money) provide logical evidence.
  • Rhetorical Device: Anaphora (repetition of "I have") creates rhythm and emphasis.
  • Rhetorical Device: Parallelism in "They deserve better. Our community deserves better."

Example 2: Advertisement Text

"Nine out of ten dentists recommend fluoride toothpaste for cavity prevention. Our formula contains 0.24% sodium fluoride, the optimal concentration for protecting enamel. Don't wait until it's too late. Your smile is worth protecting."

Analysis:

  • Ethos: "Nine out of ten dentists recommend" appeals to expert authority.
  • Logos: "0.24% sodium fluoride" and "optimal concentration" provide scientific data.
  • Pathos: "Don't wait until it's too late" creates urgency and fear.
  • Rhetorical Device: Direct address ("Your smile") creates personal connection.

Practice

Read each passage and answer the questions that follow.

Passage A

"Climate scientists have been studying global temperature patterns for over a century. The data is clear: average global temperatures have risen 1.1 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times. This may seem small, but it has already caused more frequent extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and ecosystem disruption. The time for action is now. What kind of world will we leave for our children?"

1. Which rhetorical appeal is most prominent in this passage?

2. Identify one example of ethos in the passage.

3. What rhetorical device is used in the final sentence?

4. How does the author use logos to support their argument?

Passage B

"Every day, thousands of animals in our local shelters wait for homes. They wait in cages, wondering if today will be the day someone chooses them. They don't understand why they were abandoned. They only know loneliness. But you can change that. With just one visit, you could give a deserving animal a second chance at happiness."

5. Which rhetorical appeal dominates this passage?

6. What emotions is the author trying to evoke?

7. Identify the use of anaphora in this passage.

8. How does the direct address ("But you can change that") affect the reader?

Passage C

"As the founder and CEO of a company that has created over 500 jobs in this community, I understand the importance of economic growth. However, growth without responsibility is not sustainable. Our proposed expansion will create 200 new positions while maintaining our commitment to environmental standards. We will invest in renewable energy, reduce waste by 40%, and establish a community scholarship fund."

9. How does the speaker establish ethos?

10. Identify three specific examples of logos in the passage.

11. What counterargument does the speaker address?

12. How does the list at the end (renewable energy, reduce waste, scholarship fund) function rhetorically?

Check Your Understanding

Review your answers to the practice questions and check them against the key concepts below:

  • Ethos is established through credentials, experience, or reputation.
  • Pathos appeals to emotions like fear, sympathy, pride, or urgency.
  • Logos uses facts, statistics, data, and logical reasoning.
  • Rhetorical questions engage readers and prompt reflection.
  • Anaphora is the repetition of words at the beginning of successive clauses.
  • Direct address uses "you" to create a personal connection.
  • Parallelism uses similar grammatical structures for emphasis.

Can you identify at least two appeals in any passage you read? Can you explain how rhetorical devices strengthen an author's argument?

Next Steps

  • Review any concepts that felt challenging
  • Try finding rhetorical appeals in articles, speeches, or advertisements you encounter daily
  • Move on to the next lesson to practice applying rhetoric in your own writing