AP English Language and Composition Flashcards: Ethos, pathos, logos and common rhetorical moves
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 11 cards to help you master important concepts.
How can a writer establish ethos?
A writer can establish ethos by demonstrating expertise on the subject, highlighting shared values with the audience, or citing credible, authoritative sources.
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How can a writer establish ethos?
A writer can establish ethos by demonstrating expertise on the subject, highlighting shared values with the audience, or citing credible, authoritative sources.
What is logos?
Logos is a rhetorical appeal to logic and reason, using evidence such as facts, statistics, and well-structured arguments to persuade an audience.
What are common methods for appealing to logos?
Common methods for appealing to logos include presenting verifiable data and statistics, constructing a logical sequence of ideas, and providing expert testimony or clear evidence.
How does using a rhetorical question persuade an audience?
A rhetorical question persuades an audience by prompting them to consider a point or agree with an obvious answer, thereby encouraging active engagement with the speaker's argument.
What is juxtaposition as a rhetorical move?
Juxtaposition is the placement of two contrasting ideas, images, or concepts side-by-side to highlight their differences and create a persuasive effect.
What is the function of an appeal to pathos in an argument?
An appeal to pathos functions by creating an emotional connection that can motivate an audience to act or make an argument feel more urgent and personally relevant.
A doctor, in a white coat, explains the health benefits of a new medication by citing several peer-reviewed studies. What appeals is she using?
She is using ethos through her professional appearance and title (doctor) and logos by presenting evidence from peer-reviewed studies to support her claims.
A charity's advertisement shows images of suffering children while asking for donations. Which appeal is being used most prominently?
The advertisement is most prominently using pathos by appealing to the audience's emotions of sympathy and compassion to motivate them to donate.
What is ethos?
Ethos is a rhetorical appeal that focuses on the character, credibility, or authority of the speaker/writer to build trust with the audience.
What is pathos?
Pathos is a rhetorical appeal to the audience's emotions, values, and beliefs, aiming to evoke a specific emotional response to persuade them.
What is the rhetorical triangle?
The rhetorical triangle is a model that illustrates the interconnected relationship between the speaker (ethos), the audience (pathos), and the message (logos) in a rhetorical situation.