What is an emotional appeal also known as?

An emotional appeal is known as pathos because it specifically refers to the persuasive technique that aims to evoke emotions in the audience. This can involve touching upon the audience's feelings, such as pity, anger, or joy, to strengthen an argument and encourage a connection with the message being conveyed. Writers and speakers use pathos to resonate emotionally with their audience, which can be a compelling way to persuade them.

In contrast, logos refers to logical reasoning and the use of facts or evidence to support an argument, while ethos is about establishing credibility and ethical appeal, representing the speaker's or writer’s character. Rhetoric, on the other hand, encompasses the overall art of persuasion and the various techniques employed to effectively persuade an audience. Each of these terms plays a distinct role in persuasive communication, but pathos is specifically tied to the emotional component.