Forms of appeal

Timothy Kudo's article “On War and Redemption” mostly makes use of ethos and pathos, with logos being much less prominent.

Ethos

Kudo gives his arguments ethos (authority, legitimacy) by relying on his experience as a soldier in Afghanistan. Having been there and having experienced war firsthand makes him more suitable to discuss the morality of war and its effects on soldiers: “I had been certain what was happening and I was wrong. The combination of confusion, chaos and adrenaline can’t be explained unless you’ve also experienced it.” (ll. 31-33)

Ethos is also created when he resorts to ideas of community and shared responsibility, helping the readers identify with him: “When we wage war to defend the American way of life, there’s an obligation to uphold that ideal. Can we honestly say we’ve done that?” (ll. 86-87)

At one point, Kudo also borrows ethos fro...