Into the Wild Post Reading

1. Into the Wild Post Reading Ethos, Pathos, Logos

2. Rhetorical Appeals • Accepted ways in which we persuade or argue a case. • The following questions will move you through the traditional rhetorical appeals of: • Logos: Logic • Ethos: credibility, especially of the author (in this case Krakauer) • Pathos: emotion

3. Logos • Locate two major claims and assertions Krakauer makes in this book and explain how Krakauer came to that conclusion. • For example, you could explain how Krakauer comes to the conclusion that McCandless died from eating moldy wild potato seeds.

4. Logos (cont.) • Look at Krakauer’s support for his major claims and ask yourself if there is any claim that appears to be weak or unsupported. • Choose one of your claims and explain how it appears weak or unsupported.

5. Logos (cont.) • Look at McCandless’ response to several passages in Tolstoy’s “Family Happiness” toward the end of Chapter 16. • Does this indicate a change in McCandless? • Was he ready to “go home”? • Do you Krakauer has left something out on purpose?

6. Ethos • Does Krakauer have an acceptable background to speak with authority on this subject? • Is the author knowledgeable? Smart? Successful? • What does the author’s style and language tell you about him?

7. Ethos (cont.) • Do you trust the author? Why or why not? • Do you think this author is deceptive? Why or why not? • Do you think this author is serious? Why or why not?

8. Pathos • Does this piece affect you emotionally? Which parts?

9. Pathos (cont.) • Do you think the author is trying to manipulate your emotions? How or how not? • Do your emotions conflict with your logical interpretations of the arguments? • Does the author use humor? How does that affect your acceptance of his ideas?