9: How Arguments Establish Trust and Connection (Ethos)
- Page ID
- 31363
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)
Learning Outcomes
- Describe the value of building trust and connection in a written academic argument
- Evaluate the effectiveness and legitimacy of an argument’s appeals to trust and connection
- Use effective, legitimate strategies for building trust and connection in written arguments.
- 9.1: An Argument Implies a Relationship
- Any argument implies an imagined relationship between reader and writer. A writer can build trust in that relationship to encourage the reader to credit the argument.
- 9.2: Authority
- Writers can build credibility by referring to the ideas of recognized experts on a topic.
- 9.3: Distance and Intimacy
- Writers can build trust by employing distance and formality, or, on the other hand, by creating a sense of intimacy and informality.
- 9.4: Shared Sense of Identity
- Writers can invoke a shared sense of identity to create a connection with readers and build trust.
- 9.5: Respect and Goodwill
- Writers can show respect and goodwill toward readers by expressing ideas clearly, guiding with clear transitions, and anticipating questions. All of this builds trust.
- 9.6: Moral Character
- If the writer comes across as honest, reasonable, and otherwise moral, readers will be more likely to trust the argument.
- 9.7: Combining Different Approaches to Trust and Connection
- A single argument can connect with readers and build trust in different ways at different points.
- 9.8: Reaching a Hostile Audience (Rogerian Argument)
- By seeking common ground, writers can build trust with a hostile audience. In Rogerian argument, writers practice empathy for perspectives they don't agree with and search for shared goals and values.
- 9.9: Faulty Appeals to Trust
- Appeals to trust need to be sincere and aligned with the argument’s reasoning to be legitimate.
