Persuasive Speaking: How to Use Ethos, Pathos, and Logos in Your Speeches.

Drafting a speech using ethos, pathos, and logos is a great way to make your address more persuasive and influential. These three persuasive appeals are used to convince the audience of the speaker's argument by appealing to their emotions (pathos), credibility and authority (ethos), and logic and reason (logos). Here are some easy techniques for incorporating these three persuasive appeals into your speech: 

Ethos: Establishing credibility and authority 

One of the best ways to establish your credibility and authority as a speaker is to provide your audience with evidence that you are qualified to speak on the topic. Here are some techniques you can use to establish your ethos:

  • Introduce yourself and your background: Share your expertise, education, and experience related to the topic to establish your credibility.
  • Use quotes and testimonials from credible sources: Reference experts, industry leaders, or reputable studies to support your arguments and establish your authority.
  • Use a professional tone: Speak confidently, clearly, and concisely. Avoid slang, jargon, or unprofessional language.

Example: "As a doctor with over 20 years of experience treating heart disease, I can confidently say that exercise and a healthy diet are the best ways to prevent heart attacks."


Pathos: Appealing to emotions

Using pathos in a speech involves appealing to the audience's emotions to persuade them to adopt your viewpoint. Here are some techniques you can use to appeal to the feelings of your audience:

  • Use vivid language: Describe emotional experiences, use metaphors and similes, and use powerful adjectives and adverbs.
  • Tell stories: Use anecdotes and stories that evoke strong emotions to illustrate your points.
  • Use appropriate humor to make your audience feel more connected to you and your message.

Example: "Imagine waking up every morning without the fear of not being able to breathe or not being able to spend time with your family. That's what quitting smoking can do for you."


Logos: Using logic and reason

Using logos in a speech involves using logic and reason to persuade the audience that your argument is sound and convincing. Here are some techniques you can use to appeal to the audience's sense of logic and reason:

  • Use statistics and facts: Use data, research, and studies to support your arguments.
  • Use logic: Use deductive or inductive reasoning to demonstrate the validity of your arguments.
  • Address counterarguments: Address opposing viewpoints and explain why your argument is more vital.

Example: "According to a recent study by the American Cancer Society, smoking causes over 480,000 deaths in the US every year. You can significantly reduce your risk of developing lung cancer, heart disease, and other smoking-related illnesses."


In today's fast-paced and rapidly changing world, learning new skills, such as drafting a speech using ethos, pathos, and logos, can be incredibly beneficial. These skills can help you communicate more effectively, persuade others to see your point of view, and even advance in your career.


By incorporating ethos, pathos, and logos into your speeches, you can establish credibility, appeal to emotions, and use logic and reason to make your arguments more compelling. This can help you become a more effective communicator and significantly impact your personal and professional life.


Moreover, learning new skills is a great way to stay relevant and adaptable in a constantly evolving job market. In today's economy, employers value employees who can learn new skills quickly and adapt to changing circumstances. Therefore, investing time in learning new-age skills like this can make you more marketable and improve your chances of success.


In conclusion, learning new-age skills like drafting a speech using ethos, pathos, and logos can be valuable to your personal and professional growth. These skills can help you communicate more effectively, persuade others more effectively, and stay adaptable in a constantly changing world.