Authors use ethos, logos, and pathos to persuade their reader and appeal to them, and Alan Whitehorn uses all three in “Laying Out the Bare Bones of Genocide.” When using ethos, a writer establishes his or her credibility and ensures the reader that they have the experience and knowledge to discuss the issue. Logos refers to logic. A good author will include facts and strong information to appeal to the reader’s logical side. Pathos is an emotional appeal. A work may include strong word choices or situations that really pull the reader in emotionally.

The author starts off the essay using ethos by establishing that he has significant knowledge about the topic in the phrase “as a political scientist and a grandson of an orphan of a genocide.” However, the main persuasive element in this essay is logos. The author goes into great detail providing facts about Raphael Lemkin, the creation of the United Nations, and the passing of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

Examples of pathos are also used throughout the reading. The author moves the reader to feel horrified and angry about genocide by using the phrases “boiling cauldron to spill its hatred, violence and mass death” and “inflame such hostility.” These strong word choices create an emotional response in the reader. Later in the essay, he compares genocide survivors to rape victims, appealing again to the reader’s emotions.