Rhetorical terms · AP English Language, SAT Reading and Writing, ACT Reading
Logos
Logos: An appeal to reason through evidence, logic, data and clear chains of cause and effect.
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What it means
Logos persuades by showing that a conclusion follows from the evidence. Statistics, expert findings, examples, analogies and step-by-step reasoning are its usual tools. The strength of a logical appeal depends on the quality of the evidence and on whether the reasoning connecting evidence and claim holds up.
Logical appeals can contain flaws, such as generalizing from one example or confusing correlation with causation. Spotting those flaws is part of analyzing an argument.
Example
'Cities that added protected bike lanes saw cycling injuries fall by a third within two years; our city's injury rate is twice the state average, so protected lanes are likely to save lives here.'
On the exam
SAT and ACT questions often ask which evidence best supports a claim. In AP Lang, explain how the logic connects the evidence to the claim.
Lessons and practice questions
Related terms
- EthosAn appeal based on the speaker's credibility, character or shared values with the audience.
- PathosAn appeal to the audience's emotions, values or imagination to make them more receptive to an argument.
- WarrantThe often unstated assumption that connects evidence to a claim and explains why the evidence counts as support.
- ClaimAn arguable statement a writer asks the audience to accept, supported by reasons and evidence.