The Golden Triangle – Pathos

Pathos, the second pillar of rhetoric, and also a leg of the Golden Triangle. Pathos is all about emotions, that the feelings are conveyed to the listeners.

While man is basically controlled by emotions, this is the most powerful of the pillars, if used properly. This is demonstrated most easily by those speeches when the commander calls on troops to fight and risk their lives for their freedom and love for the nation.
Here are some other examples of when emotions are successfully highlighted:

• Enthusiasm – the coach who calls on players to work harder
• Sympathy – charities seeking donations to Haiti
• Fear – experts warn of the consequences of continued human inaction on climate change

For maximum effect, be quite clear with whom or what feelings you desire to mediate during your presentation and how you want to convey them. If you are not confident at this point, the audience will certainly not be, as well.