Forms of appeal

Forms of appeal are rhetorical strategies that Arnold Schwarzenegger uses to tell his story. “Call me Arnold” is dominated by logos (appeal to logic) and ethos (appeal to trust and authority). We can also find some examples of pathos (appeal to emotion…

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Logos and ethos

Logos and ethos are usually mixed in Schwarzenegger’s statements. He makes logical connections and gives arguments for his ideas. At the same time, he appeals to his readers’ trust in his authority, as he does not provide information based on general facts, but rather on his own opinions and experience.

Schwarzenegger explains why he feels at home in America: “That's why I feel so good here. It is the country where you can turn your dream into reality. (...) In America, we don't have an obstacle. Nobody’s holding you back.” (p. 19, ll. 82-87). This may be a subjective opinion, but for Schwarzenegger, America represented a land of oppor…

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Pathos

In his interview, Schwarzenegger does not appeal to emotions often. The lack of pathos itself is notable because it enhances Schwarzenegger’s image as a rational, determined man, who controls his emotions.

Although pathos is subtle and rarely used, it can be noticed in Schwarzenegger’s descriptions of America and California. For example, when he arrived in America, he felt like he “was in heaven.” (p. 19, l. 86). He describes America …