This assignment is 2 parts.
First part Describe Ethos, Logos, and Pathos and explain why these elements are important to presenting a successful persuasive argument.
Second part read both sides of the argument and then summarize the elements of ethos, logos, and pathos presented.
Do you have to have all three elements (ethos, logos and pathos) in order for an argument to be persuasive? Why or why not?
Does a speaker need to change an audience’s members mind completely in order to be successful at persuasion? Why or why not?
The topic I chose is should medical marijuana be a medical option?
In 1970, the US Congress placed marijuana in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act because they considered it to have no accepted medical use. Since then, 33 of 50 US states and DC have legalized the medical use of marijuana.
Proponents of medical marijuana argue that it can be a safe and effective treatment for the symptoms of cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, pain, glaucoma, epilepsy, and other conditions. They cite dozens of peer-reviewed studies, prominent medical organizations, major government reports, and the use of marijuana as medicine throughout world history.
Opponents of medical marijuana argue that it is too dangerous to use, lacks FDA-approval, and that various legal drugs make marijuana use unnecessary. They say marijuana is addictive, leads to harder drug use, interferes with fertility, impairs driving ability, and injures the lungs, immune system, and brain. They say that medical marijuana is a front for drug legalization and recreational use.