Pathos is a term most often used in rhetoric (in which it is considered one of the three modes of persuasion, alongside ethos and logos), as well as in literature, film and other narrative art.

Pathos, along with logos and ethos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective speaking or writing). Pathos is an argument that appeals to an audience's emotions.

The Greek word páthos means "experience, misfortune, emotion, condition,” and comes from Greek path-, meaning “experience, undergo, suffer.” In English, pathos usually refers to the element in an …

Pathos, at its core, is an appeal to the emotions of the audience. It’s one of the three classical rhetorical appeals – alongside ethos (appeal to credibility) and logos (appeal to logic) – used to persuade or …

Oct 15, 2025 · Pathos is a literary device that uses language to evoke an emotional response, typically to connect readers with the characters in a story.

PATHOS meaning: 1. the power of a person, situation, piece of writing, or work of art to cause feelings of sadness…. Learn more.

PATHOS definition: the quality or power in an actual life experience or in literature, music, speech, or other forms of expression, of evoking a feeling of pity, or of sympathetic and kindly sorrow or …

Jan 14, 2025 · Pathos is a rhetorical appeal used to hook and persuade an audience with emotion. It is often used in speeches and advertising.

Jun 7, 2025 · Pathos transcends mere sentimentality; it is a sophisticated technique that relies on carefully crafted language, imagery, and narrative structure to resonate with the audience’s pre …

Jul 25, 2022 · Explore the meaning of pathos in logical argument and writing and how it fits into the rhetorical triangle, along with examples, use cases, and more.