Pathos is a term most often used in rhetoric (in which it is considered one of the three modes of persuasion, alongside ethos and logos), as well as in literature, film and other narrative art.

Pathos, along with logos and ethos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective speaking or writing). Pathos is an argument that appeals to an audience's emotions.

The Greek word páthos means "experience, misfortune, emotion, condition,” and comes from Greek path-, meaning “experience, undergo, suffer.” In English, pathos usually refers to the …

Pathos, at its core, is an appeal to the emotions of the audience. It’s one of the three classical rhetorical appeals – alongside ethos (appeal to credibility) and logos (appeal to logic) – used …

Jan 26, 2022 · As a rhetorical appeal, pathos is referred to as “the appeal to emotion.” Generally speaking, an author or speaker is using pathos when they are trying to persuade an audience …

When an author relies on pathos, it means that they are trying to tap into the audience’s emotions to get them to agree with the author’s claim. An author using pathetic appeals wants the …

Oct 15, 2025 · Pathos is a persuasive technique that uses language to appeal to an audience's emotions. These emotions associated with pathos in literature include sympathy, compassion, …

PATHOS definition: 1. the power of a person, situation, piece of writing, or work of art to cause feelings of sadness…. Learn more.

Oct 1, 2023 · Pathos is a rhetorical device that stirs emotions such as pity, sadness, or sympathy in the audience. Pathos refers to one corner of the rhetorical triangle, which means that it is …

Pathos, or the appeal to emotion, means to persuade an audience by purposely evoking certain emotions to make them feel the way the author wants them to feel. Authors make deliberate …