Rhetorical Analysis: The Humane Society Of El Paso

Websites exist not only to give information to the public, but also to appeal to the audience and make them want to take action. Websites use rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, and logos) in order to capture the attention of the audience. Ethos gives the author credibility and allows the audience to feel confident in what they are reading. The author can use this by giving numbers, keeping the website up-to-date, and correct grammar. Pathos appeals to the reader's emotions by giving them pictures, success stories from other readers, and vivid use of emotional language. Logos gives the reader consistency by giving facts, citations, and evidence of reasoning. The Humane Society of El Paso uses these techniques in their website in order to push
On their homepage, you immediately see the faces of animals needing homes, along with links to adopt, foster and volunteer. In large letters, they explain to the audience how they are a no-kill shelter dedicated to giving better lives to animals. This appeals to the reader in an emotional way. When one clicks on one of their links (adopt, volunteer, or foster) they are given more pictures of animals in need of help and wording in big bold red letters telling them exactly what they want them to do. Bright colors are present throughout the website. They also use emotional narratives such as success stories of animals who have been adopted into good homes. The Humane Society appeals to the loyalty and values of the audience using all of these techniques. When exiting the website, one is left with a sense of emotional impact and willingness to do something to
The web page displays several sections with the purpose to highlight the facts of this organization; such as, the anecdotes from various people who either saved an animal and took it to the shelter or from people who adopted a new family member. This logical format and information supports the goal of convincing the reader by illustrating real life cases. Furthermore, the website also possesses a portion that highlights statistical relevant to the amount of animals rescued. It shows the amazing number of 3320 pets were rescued last year, additionally a quantity of 3350 of them found a home. This critical data is a strong model for the rhetorical appeal of “logos”. Alternatively, more data are shown; such as, the number of volunteers and volunteer hours practiced within the organization by all kinds of individuals with a large variety of professional backgrounds. As well, this site reveals the approximate cost of daily maintenance and care for each dog or cat. Based on the concrete material presented and its consistency, it pushes the reader to understand the goal of El Paso Humane Society of making a difference in the life of these unfortunate