20895 ACE Language (Yr 6) Structures and Language Features

Pathos
Resource sheet
Pathos appeals to the emotions, empathy, beliefs and values of the audience. When writers use
pathos in their work, they want the audience to respond emotionally. People can win support for their
cause if their audience can imagine being the person or being in the situation that is described. While
pathos often conjures up an image of sadness, it includes all emotions. Our emotions do influence the
decisions we make and this is considered by writers of persuasive texts, including political speeches
and advertising campaigns.
The pathos element of a persuasive text is characterised when the writer:
• focuses on emotions he or she can genuinely relate to
• addresses the values and interests of the audience to bring them into the argument,
making them feel personally involved
• addresses the audience from the text, referring to them in a positive way
• evokes empathy in the audience so they can identify with the writer’s point of view
• uses narrative and powerful descriptive language such as metaphors and similes to
create an image that evokes the required emotion and inspires the audience to adopt
the point of view
• uses an appropriate style that is appealing to the audience
• evokes emotions that inspire the audience to agree with his or her point of view and
disagree with those of his or her adversaries
• delivers the text in a controlled, objective manner, thus emphasising the emotional
nature of the text.
The pathos element of a persuasive text can be harmed if the writer evokes the wrong emotion in an
attempt to shock the audience into agreeing with his or her point of view.
Pathos is deemed to be manipulative if the writer attempts to evoke in the audience an emotion he or
she does not personally feel.
The effect of pathos is lost if the text is presented in an emotional way. This creates in the audience a
feeling that the writer is too emotionally involved to produce a credible text.
Australian Curriculum English – Language: Text structure and organisation (Year 6) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ®
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Understand how authors often innovate on text structures and play with language features to achieve particular aesthetic, humorous and persuasive purposes and effects (ACELA1518)
© Australian Curriculum: Assessment and Reporting Authority 2012