Final answer:
Pathos is used in the article to evoke empathy for restaurant workers affected by the subminimum wage system, an issue exacerbated by the unreliability of tipping and the recent pandemic.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of pathos relates to the emotional appeal used in rhetoric and communication to persuade or affect an audience's emotions. In the context of Kathleen Kingsbury's article "Tipping System Exacerbates Unfair Pay at Restaurant," pathos is used as a rhetorical device to evoke a sense of empathy and moral concern from readers about the plight of restaurant workers who are subjected to the subminimum wage system. The article draws attention to the instability and unfairness of relying on tipping to supplement the income of these workers, a practice that exacerbates the financial hardships particularly for women and minority employees. The COVID-19 pandemic is highlighted as an event that further decimated incomes, stressing the urgency of adequate health and safety measures to protect this vulnerable group. Through these emotive elements, Kingsbury's narrative galvanizes public support for reform and highlights the crucial role of advocacy groups like One Fair Wage.