Pathos is a rhetorical appeal that aims to evoke emotions in an audience. It is often used in speeches, literature, and advertisements to create a connection between the speaker or writer and the audience. By appealing to feelings such as sadness, joy, or anger, pathos can persuade people to take action or change their opinions.
In communication, pathos can be effective when combined with other rhetorical appeals, such as ethos (credibility) and logos (logic). For example, a charity campaign might use emotional stories of individuals in need to encourage donations. This emotional engagement helps to make the message more relatable and impactful.