Rhetorical Appeals
Pathos: Pride and Achievement
Motivate by celebrating past successes and connecting to sense of accomplishment.
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What it is
An emotional appeal that motivates audiences by connecting the message to feelings of accomplishment, dignity, or positive self-regard. This technique taps into the audience's desire to feel successful, competent, or part of something meaningful and worthwhile.
Before & after
Before
“You guys have done okay in the past.”
After
“You built the most reliable payment system in our industry. Now let's bring that same excellence to customer service.”
When you’ll use it
Designing investor pitches that build credibility fast
Preparing leadership remarks that align with company values
Evaluating competitor messaging to spot persuasive gaps
Pro tip
Highlight specific past achievements before asking for new effort.
Questions & answers
3 questionsLearn more
Practice this concept
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