Logos Examples

Logos is appeal to reason or logic. Logos uses facts and evidence to convince a reader or listener of the strength of your argument. Logosis different from pathos, which is an appeal to the emotions, and ethos, which relies on the ethics or credibility of the person making the argument.

If we think objectively, logos should be the strongest type of argument. However, humans are emotional creatures, so we are often easily persuaded by pathos and ethos.

A politician argues for a new domestic spending program by stating facts and figures about the current level of spending, the current economy, and how this program is projected to improve the economy.

A study on using a specific reading program to teach young children to read cites statistics regarding the number of children who have been helped by the program, their demographics, the conditions under which they used the program, and the gains they made in their reading proficiency while using the program.

Examples of Logos from Literature

"All men are mortal. Socrates is a man. Therefore, Socrates is mortal."

Aristotle's The Art of Rhetoric

From Othello (Iago uses logical argument as he speaks to Othello about a secret relationship between Desdemona and Cassio):

Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy!

It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock

The meat it feeds on...

Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger,

But, oh, what damnèd minutes tells he o'er

Who dotes, yet doubts- suspects, yet soundly loves…

She did deceive her father, marrying you…

She loved them most...

I humbly do beseech you of your pardon

For too much loving you...