After reading the chapters on the lines of argument, look at the examples of film posters on the handouts page on our class site. Then write a post of 350 words (minimum) in which you identify which one relies most on logos, which relies most on pathos, and which relies most on ethos. Be sure to explain your reasoning for identifying them this way.
If you are unfamiliar with the films, do not research them. You should base your analysis only on the visuals provided. There should be three paragraphs, one for each line of argument. (This is not an essay, so you do not need an intro and conclusion.) There should be three paragraphs, one for each line of argument. (This is not an essay, so you do not need an intro and conclusion.
To practice analyzing arguments, take a look at some images and think about how these images use the three lines of argument. You will need to write a post of at least 350 words to identify which one relies most on pathos, which relies most on ethos, and which relies most on logos.
After you’ve read the chapters on the lines of argument, look at the examples of film posters on the handouts page. It is a pdf file, cleverly called Images for Short Writing #2, so you can download it to work with it. There are three images that you need to consider. Do not use outside sources or go look up the movies if you don’t know them. Focus on the visual only.
Look over the three posters. You might find it helpful to do some brainstorming. What do you see in the images that is designed to get an emotional reaction? What sort of logic or facts are being presented? What sort of ethos is being created?
You have to decide which one relies most on which line of argument. This may not be easy; you might want to argue all three as pathos, or two as ethos. But you need to designate each one as a different line of argument. You cannot use one poster for more than one line of argument.
For help finding the lines of argument:
Pathos/ emotions are often the easiest to see, but keep in mind that your personal reaction can be based on your own bias. What sort of feeling(s) is the image supposed to create in the audience? Why would this feeling compel them to see the film?
Logos is based on facts and reason. What is being factually presented? What are the facts that are supposed to sway the audience into watching the film? How many facts are offered and what about them seem important?
Ethos / character can be the trickiest part of this. Ethos depends on credibility and authority, so you might look at these images to see how those things are being represented. What type of person is being shown? How should you react to this person? How much do you trust the image to be representing the material clearly and fairly?
Try to imagine what these images could be saying to a variety of people.
You should write three paragraphs, one for each line of argument, explaining your reasoning for identifying them this way. Each paragraph needs a topic sentence, and you need to include support for your claim point. Stick with the language for the assignment. The topic sentence for each paragraph should be:
______ (line of argument) is strongest in _____ (which poster) because _______.
Then go on and offer evidence and reasoning for your claim.
Other points to remember:
Do not use an introduction or conclusion.
Use “I” (first person) since this is about your view; do not use “you” (second person) or “they” (third person).
Movies titles are italicized.
You cannot edit once you have posted, so please review for obvious typos or confusing word choices.
Be sure to copy and paste your text into a forum post; do not upload an attachment – those will not be read and you will receive a zero for the assignment.
