When used with ethos and logos, emotional appeals—known as pathos—help you put a human face on a problem you’re addressing. When you stir your listeners’ feelings, you enhance your persuasive power. Indeed, some experts have referred to human emotions as “the primary motivating system of all activity.”16 Thus, by providing a heartwarming example of a person who benefited from an action you’re recommending in your speech, you could complement statistical evidence that indicates all who could benefit. An emotional appeal can be an effective, ethical component of a strong persuasive speech; however, this kind of appeal can also be abused, so they need to be used responsibly.
