Called ethos by the ancient Greeks, EA establishes the credibility of the writer. Audiences don't trust a writer who states opinions as facts, distorts evidence, or makes claims that can't be supported. They trust a writer who comes across as honest, knowledgeable, and fair. EA can't take the place of logical appeals, but the two work well together.
One effective way to make an EA is to draw on your personal experiences. For example, suppose you wanted to argue that prisoners should have access to education in jail. If you had been the victim of a crime, you would have strong personal credibility for your position.
Just be sure that any personal experience relates directly to the generalization you're supporting.
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Writers Guidelines
Non-FictionComprehensive information about the processes for writing the basic structures and forms for literature's genres: non-fiction, fiction, poems, memoirs and so much more!
