Logos

Example of Logos in Writing

To understand where logos fits into writing — and to understand an example of its use in writing — you need to understand argumentation. Argumentation is the concerted use of arguments.

Arguments need support, though. To provide support for an argument, speakers and writers use rhetoric.

Here's where logos comes into the equation. One mode of rhetoric is logos: the appeal to logic. Logic can be used as a rhetorical device to persuade someone that an argument is valid.

Here's a brief example of logos in writing. This is an argument.

This alone is the use of logos to create an argument. However, it would be enhanced with another major element of logical rhetoric: evidence.

Here are some hypothetical pieces of evidence that would help support the above argument:

• A statistic stating how dangerous cars are compared to other dangerous things

• Studies proving that children do not possess fully developed or sufficiently developed mental faculties

• Studies showing that younger drivers cause proportionally more accidents than their adult counterparts

Logic works as rhetoric, but only if your audience accepts the premises. In the example, the logic works, but only if you accept things like children don't possess fully developed brains, and only those with fully developed mental faculties should be able to drive. If an audience doesn't accept these things, then they will not accept the logic, which is where evidence can step in and persuade.

Logos, Ethos, and Pathos in Rhetorical Analysis

When someone uses rhetoric in an argument, it can be scrutinized using something called rhetorical analysis.

Here's what that looks like in terms of analyzing the rhetoric of logos.

You can analyze logos using rhetorical analysis; however, you can also analyze logos, ethos, and pathos together.

Combining Logos, Ethos, and Pathos

When a writer creates rhetoric in argumentation, they often use a combination of the three classical appeals. Look out for these rhetorical tricks of how a writer might combine ethos or pathos with logos.

Pathos Leading Into Logos

This might be someone riling up the audience before calling them to action.

Here, the speaker ignites the audience using pathos. Then, they reason that because voting has changed the world before, they need to organize and vote in order to stop "them."

Logos Followed by Ethos

It can look like this.

This speaker cites a study, which is logos, then follows it up with a comment on their own competency, which is ethos.

A combination of all three classical appeals

If an argument feels complicated or pulls you in multiple directions, it might be trying to utilize all three classical appeals.

This example explodes with uses of logos, pathos, and ethos, respectively, seeming almost combative. This example also doesn't leave much time for the reader to consider the arguments before moving on to something else.

Indeed, combining the three appeals will not always be effective, especially if the arguments are not carefully laid out. Using all three classical appeals in one paragraph can feel manipulative or like a barrage. Point this out when you see it! Also, when using logos in your own essays, try to use a balanced approach with the three classical appeals. Use logos foremost in argumentative essays, and only use ethos and pathos when necessary to keep your arguments rounded.

Example of Rhetorical Analysis Essay Using Logos

Now to focus on analyzing logos specifically.

Here's an example of Harriet Clark analyzing the logical rhetoric in Jessica Grose's article, "Cleaning: The Final Feminist Frontier." Harriet Clark writes in her rhetorical analysis essay:

First, Clark points out Grose's use of statistics. Statistics are a great way for essayists to quantify their arguments. An argument might make sense, but if you can assign a number to it, that is a great way to appeal to someone's sense of reason.

Second, Clark points out how Grose uses statistics multiple times. Although you can overwhelm someone with numbers, Clark rightly implies that Grose is effective in using several pieces of scientific evidence. Typically one study isn't enough to prove something, much less if that something involves an assertion regarding most households.

You can do a lot with evidence and numbers, even in a short amount of time!

Accuracy of Evidence in Rhetorical Analysis Essay

When looking at a writer or speaker's sources, it's essential to check whether or not those sources are credible. The "CRAAP method" helps judge whether a source is reliable or not:

Currency: Does the source reflect the most recent information about the subject?

Relevance: Does the source support the argument?

Authority: Is the source knowledgeable about the subject?

Accuracy: Can the source's information be cross-checked with other sources?

Purpose: Why was the source written?

Use this cheeky acronym to make sure that a piece of evidence supports the logic of the argument. And bear in mind that if the logic is flawed or the evidence is inaccurate, you could be looking at a rhetorical fallacy.

Rhetorical Analysis of Logos in Literature

Here is where you bring it all together. This is how you might identify logos, analyze logos, and do so in rhetorical literary analysis. Yes, logos doesn't exist only in papers, articles, and politics; it exists in stories, too, and you can glean a lot about a story by examining its logic!

In Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel Crime and Punishment (1866), the main character, Raskolnikov, creates this startling argument using logos:

1. There are two types of men: extraordinary and ordinary.

2. Extraordinary men are not bound to moral laws like ordinary men.

3. Since moral laws do not bind them, an extraordinary man may commit murder.

4. Raskolnikov believes he is an extraordinary man. Therefore, it is permissible for him to commit murder.

This use of logos is the novel's central theme, and readers are free to analyze its flawed and valid points. A reader might also examine Raskolnikov's ultimate fate: although Raskolnikov believes his logic is flawless, he nevertheless descends into madness because of the murder.

A reader might analyze Raskolnikov's logic at two levels.

• At the first level, they might critique the logic of Raskolnikov's argument in the first place (for instance, the burden of identifying anyone as extraordinary).

• At the second level, they might critique Raskolnikov's reliance on logic alone to make a decision. Because Raskolnikov fails to account for his emotions (pathos) and arguably ordinary credentials (ethos), things go south for him, despite the careful logic (logos).

This is exactly the sort of rhetorical analysis you should pursue when critiquing logos in literature. Ask questions, examine causal relationships, and verify each line of reasoning. Look at logos in all its facets.

¹ Lopez, K. J. "Fifteen Things That Caught My Eye Today: Religious Freedom in Ukraine, Chief Justice Roberts & Roe & More." National Review. 2022.

² Clark, Harriet. "Rhetorical Analysis Essay Sample | PDF." Myperfectwords.com. 2015.