How can an author effectively utilize rhetorical strategies such as ethos, pathos, and logos to strengthen their argument in persuasive writing?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Utilizing Rhetorical Strategies in Persuasive Writing: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos
In persuasive writing, authors aim to convince their audience of a particular viewpoint or course of action. To effectively achieve this goal, the use of rhetorical strategies—ethos, pathos, and logos—plays a crucial role. Each strategy appeals to different aspects of human reasoning and emotion, allowing authors to create a compelling argument that resonates with their audience. Here’s how authors can effectively utilize these rhetorical strategies to strengthen their arguments.
1. Ethos: Establishing Credibility
Definition: Ethos refers to the ethical appeal of the author, which establishes credibility and trustworthiness. It involves convincing the audience that the author is knowledgeable and morally upright, making their argument more persuasive.
Strategies for Utilizing Ethos:
– Demonstrate Expertise: Authors should provide credentials, such as educational background, professional experience, or relevant research, to establish authority on the topic. For instance, a medical professional writing about health issues can include their qualifications to enhance credibility.
– Cite Reliable Sources: Incorporating data and references from reputable sources lends credibility to arguments. For example, using statistics from government health organizations can bolster an argument about public health policies.
– Showcase Ethical Considerations: Authors should address potential counterarguments fairly and acknowledge opposing viewpoints. This demonstrates respect for differing opinions, enhancing the author’s ethical stance.
Example:
In a persuasive essay advocating for climate action, the author might begin by introducing themselves as a climate scientist with years of research experience. They could reference studies published in peer-reviewed journals to support their claims, thereby establishing ethos.
2. Pathos: Appealing to Emotion
Definition: Pathos involves appealing to the audience’s emotions to elicit feelings that support the author’s argument. By connecting with readers on an emotional level, authors can inspire action and empathy.
Strategies for Utilizing Pathos:
– Use Vivid Language: Authors should employ descriptive language and imagery that evokes strong feelings. For example, telling a personal story about the impact of climate change can create a sense of urgency and concern.
– Appeal to Values and Beliefs: Connecting arguments to the audience’s core values can be persuasive. For instance, highlighting how environmental conservation aligns with values of family and future generations can motivate readers to act.
– Incorporate Anecdotes: Sharing personal experiences or stories about real people affected by the issue can humanize statistics and make the argument more relatable.
Example:
In a campaign against animal cruelty, an author might include a heart-wrenching story of a rescued animal’s suffering to evoke sympathy and encourage readers to support animal rights initiatives.
3. Logos: Engaging Logic and Reason
Definition: Logos refers to the logical appeal of an argument. It involves using reasoning, facts, statistics, and logical deductions to convince the audience of the validity of the argument.
Strategies for Utilizing Logos:
– Present Clear Arguments: Authors should structure their arguments logically, using clear premises that lead to a solid conclusion. This helps readers follow the reasoning process easily.
– Use Facts and Statistics: Incorporating empirical data and research findings strengthens arguments by providing concrete evidence. For example, citing statistics on pollution levels can support claims about the need for environmental regulations.
– Address Counterarguments: Acknowledging and refuting opposing viewpoints with logical reasoning shows that the author has considered multiple perspectives. This enhances the overall strength of the argument.
Example:
In a persuasive essay advocating for renewable energy, an author might present data showing the decrease in fossil fuel reserves over time alongside statistics on job growth in the renewable energy sector, logically arguing for a transition to sustainable energy sources.
Conclusion
Effectively utilizing rhetorical strategies such as ethos, pathos, and logos in persuasive writing enables authors to craft compelling arguments that resonate with their audience. By establishing credibility through ethos, appealing to emotions via pathos, and engaging logic through logos, authors can strengthen their persuasive efforts and inspire action. An effective combination of these strategies not only enhances the overall impact of the writing but also fosters a deeper connection with readers, ultimately leading to more successful communication of ideas and arguments.
