13: How Arguments Establish Trust and Connection (Ethos)
- Page ID
- 380550
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)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.
- 13.1: An Argument Implies a Relationship
- This page highlights the significance of trust in written arguments, influencing readers' emotional and logical reactions. It outlines strategies for building trust, including establishing authority, demonstrating moral character, and creating connections. The chapter emphasizes the relational nature of arguments and the impact of writing styles on interactions between writer and reader.
- 13.2: Authority
- This page explores the establishment of trust between writers and readers through extrinsic ethos, highlighting the importance of demonstrating qualifications and leveraging personal experiences. It discusses the role of thorough research and credible citation in building authority, even in the absence of formal credentials. The page concludes with practice exercises aimed at assessing sources and individual areas of authority.
- 13.3: Distance and Intimacy
- This page examines two approaches to establishing trust in writing: formal distance versus informal intimacy. An authoritative, impersonal style conveys objective information but may alienate readers, while an intimate approach fosters connection through personal experiences and first-person pronouns. The trend in academia embraces personal perspectives, making arguments relatable and engaging without sacrificing credibility.
- 13.4: Shared Sense of Identity
- This page emphasizes the significance of appealing to shared identities in writing to enhance trust and emotional connection with readers. It discusses techniques like naming groups and code-switching, while cautioning against negative portrayals of opposing groups that might damage trust. The page highlights examples of effective and detrimental uses of group identity in political discourse, underlining the need for thoughtful communication strategies.
- 13.5: Respect and Goodwill
- This page highlights the significance of goodwill and respect in writing to build trust with readers. It advocates for clear communication, logical transitions, and addressing reader inquiries to enhance engagement. Writers are encouraged to anticipate and correct misconceptions kindly, while practical strategies include straightforwardness and logical guidance. Exercises are provided to help revise writing for better clarity and respect towards the audience.
- 13.6: Moral Character
- This page emphasizes the significance of a writer's moral character in building reader trust. It discusses how character is conveyed through direct appeals, like sharing values, and indirect signals, such as honesty and fairness. Key aspects include acknowledging biases, emotional sincerity, and respecting differing perspectives. A balance of conviction and openness is essential for writers to establish credibility and effectively engage with their audience.
- 13.7: Combining Different Approaches to Trust and Connection
- This page explores the dynamics of voice and perspective in argumentation, demonstrating how shifts among first-person, second-person, and third-person perspectives affect reader engagement. It uses a border argument as a case study, noting the transition from personal appeals to broader ethical implications. The discussion underscores how varying perspectives can enhance emotional resonance and bolster the overall persuasive effectiveness of an argument.
- 13.8: Reaching a Hostile Audience (Rogerian Argument)
- This page introduces the Rogerian argument approach by Carl Rogers, emphasizing empathy and understanding in discussions on divisive issues. It encourages finding common ground rather than confrontation, promoting constructive dialogue through shared goals. An example demonstrates how a writer can adapt her immigration arguments by addressing audience safety concerns while advocating for humane policies, showcasing the potential for evolving perspectives through mutual respect.
- 13.9: Faulty Appeals to Trust
- This page addresses the flawed nature of appeals to trust in arguments, identifying various fallacies such as ad hominem, tu quoque, and poisoning the well. It emphasizes the importance of critical evaluation of trustworthiness, noting that personal qualities may raise credibility questions but do not negate logical validity.
