The use of a documentary as a tool of education is considered an advancement of contemporary teaching strategies. However, it is important to acknowledge that a documentary is classified as alternative visual rhetoric.
The use of media such as film, television, and hypertext in conveying the documentary’s content is intriguing. In this context, the importance of ensuring that the audience is interested in the documentary’s content is critical. Therefore, the use of ethos, logos, and pathos in a documentary is necessary.
Ethos is derived from the concept of ethics. In this regard, the element of ethics is expected in a documentary. For example, how the documentary content is delivered to the audience should reveal the speaker’s moral character. Moreover, the speaker or author of a documentary should be knowledgeable about the subject matter.
The authority in which the documentary is delivered to the audience or reader should be decisive. The character of the author or film director should provoke confidence among the audience. More so, the intention of delivering a documentary that the audience can cognitively understand is subject to good interest.
Logos refers to the use of logical argument in a documentary. For a documentary to be deemed effective about the intended purpose, using logic is a necessity. The audience of a documentary follows the logic and rational thinking to understand what is communicated through a documentary.
or example, the use of rhetorical syllogism is common when stating facts that do not require scientific reasoning. The use of logos is appropriate in instances where facts or statements require assumption. For example, it is assumed that all human being die irrespective of religious affiliations. Also, logic is effectively deducted if the use of probabilities is included in a rhetorical argument. In this context, a documentary is based on probabilities rather than the commonly held truths.
From this perspective, a documentary that relates to human problems allows the audience to contemplate of whether there are alternatives towards solving the same issue. Therefore, the author or producer of a documentary must base the content of the same on the hypothesis. The degree of persuasion in a documentary reveals how logos are used to convince the audience. Also, a documentary can be delivered in a manner that exposes questionable assumptions for further interpretation by the audience.
Pathos refers to the emotions of the audience. The delivery of a documentary must consider the intended reaction of the audience. In this regard, it is imperative to ensure that the subject matter provokes emotions such as anger, sympathy, and fear. Emotions are critical in influencing the audience in terms of thinking and interpreting the documentary.
Appealing to the emotions as a rhetorical strategy has been effectively used in influencing political decisions among the citizens. An example of cancerous wounds in various organs creates fear among the smoking population. Therefore, the smoking population reacts to the scary documentary and develops the necessary precautions.
In conclusion, a documentary is referred to as a rhetorical argument if it utilizes the elements of ethos, logos, and pathos. In this regard, the effectiveness of a documentary in providing information is realized ethically. Also, the art of using a rationale, as well as emotions to provoke the interest of the audience is necessary.