Question

In his closing argument during the O.J. Simpson murder trial, defense attorney Johnnie Cochran said to the jury:

"You are empowered to do justice. You are empowered to ensure that this great system of ours works. Listen for a moment, will you, please. One of my favorite people in history is the great Frederick Douglas. He said shortly after the slaves were freed, quote, "In a composite nation like ours as before the law, there should be no rich, no poor, no high, no low, no white, no black, but common country, common citizenship, equal rights and a common destiny." This marvelous statement was made more than 100 years ago. It's an ideal worth striving for and one that we still strive for. We haven't reached this goal yet, but certainly in this great country of ours, we're trying. With a jury such as this, we hope we can do that in this particular case."
Evaluate Cochran's argument in terms of logos, pathos, and ethos. Use evidence from the statement to support your answer. Your response should be a minimum of five sentences. (25 points)

Answer 1

Answer:In his closing argument, Johnnie Cochran uses a combination of logos, pathos, and ethos to appeal to the jury. He begins by appealing to their sense of justice and their role in ensuring that the justice system works. This is an appeal to logos, as he is making a logical argument about the importance of the jury's role.

Cochran also uses pathos by quoting Frederick Douglas and appealing to the jury's emotions. He quotes Douglas to emphasize the importance of equal rights and the idea that, as a nation, we are still striving for this goal. This quote also serves as a reminder of the history of racial inequality in the United States, which can be a powerful emotional appeal.

Finally, Cochran uses ethos to establish his credibility as a legal expert and someone who cares about justice. He has a long history as a civil rights lawyer and his use of quotes from historical figures like Frederick Douglas demonstrate his knowledge and expertise in the field.

Overall, Cochran's argument is a masterful use of logos, pathos, and ethos. He appeals to the jury's sense of justice and emotion, while also establishing his own credibility as a legal expert.

Step-by-step explanation: