Forms of appeal

In this part of the study guide, we will focus on the main forms of appeal used by Barack Obama in his statement on the shooting in Oregon.

Forms of appeal are the technique…

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Logos

In the following example, logos is used when Obama states that an important number of law-abiding gun owners agree with him and accept the necessity of passing stricter gun control laws:

There are scores of responsible gun owners in this country --they know that's not true. We know because of the polling that says the majority of Americans understand we should be changing these laws --…

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Pathos

Pathos is employed when Obama appeals to the audience’s emotions to provoke various feelings. 

First, he stirs a feeling of sadness when he talks about the recent mass-shooting in Oregon:

In the coming days, we’ll learn about the victims -- young men and women who were studying and learning and working hard, their eyes set on the future, their dreams on what they could make of their lives. And America will wrap everyone who’s grieving with our prayers and our love. (ll. 16-21)

He also stirs a feeling of frustration when …