In persuasion, what does "pathos" refer to?

In the context of persuasion, "pathos" refers specifically to emotional appeal. This rhetorical strategy aims to evoke an emotional response from the audience, making them feel a certain way about the topic at hand. By connecting with their feelings, a speaker can persuade the audience to support a position or take action. Pathos can be an effective way to engage the audience on a personal level, as it often leads to a stronger connection between the speaker and the listeners.

The other concepts represent different rhetorical appeals. Logical argumentation is associated with logos, which relies on reason and logic to persuade. Established credibility pertains to ethos, which focuses on the speaker's authority and trustworthiness. Lastly, statistical evidence also falls under logos since it entails using facts and data to support a logical argument. Each of these elements has its role in persuasion, but pathos is uniquely centered on eliciting emotions.