Final answer:
It is generally more effective to use all three persuasive appeals - ethos, pathos, and logos - in an argument, as they address credibility, emotions, and logic comprehensively. Focusing on only one or two appeals may work in certain contexts, but the strongest arguments typically balance all three.
Step-by-step explanation:
Using only one or two of the persuasive appeals can be effective, but incorporating all three appeals - ethos, pathos, and logos - is generally recommended for making the most compelling argument. Ethos appeals to credibility, pathos to emotions, and logos to logic.
While sometimes an argument can be effective by strongly playing to one of these appeals, often the strongest persuasive arguments are those that balance all three, ensuring that they address the audience comprehensively. For instance, a persuasive essay that utilizes factual data (logos), makes an emotional connection with the reader (pathos), and also establishes the writer's credibility (ethos) is more likely to be convincing.
It is false that using only one or two persuasive appeals is always the way to make an effective persuasive argument. While it is true that focusing deeply on a couple of appeals can contribute to an effective argument, the three rhetorical appeals typically strengthen an argument when used together.
Additionally, the durability of the persuasion often depends on the adoption of the central route, which involves logic and data to convince the audience and usually results in lasting attitude change. Exploring counterarguments can also enrich the persuasive argument, as demonstrating awareness and refutation of opposing views tends to strengthen the persuasiveness of the main argument.