Question

read the passage.
if you want to try out for the basketball team, here is what you should do to prepare. to become a better free - throw shooter, make 50 free throws every day. this will help you center your shot and find a groove that works for you. to condition your legs, take a mile run and alternate between jogging and sprinting. to improve your strength, commit to a daily workout. the added practice sessions will take away from other activities, such as playing video games and hanging out with friends. however, the time spent preparing has benefitted many other players, and it can benefit you. it is up to you to decide to put in the time.
which rhetorical appeal does this passage contain?
○ pathos, because it appeals to the speaker’s credibility and trustworthiness
○ pathos, because it shows the steps someone must take to make a basketball team
○ logos, because it plays on the reader’s emotions about not making a basketball team
○ logos, because it provides reasons and evidence for the speaker’s argument

Explanation:

• Pathos appeals to emotions, but the passage gives practical steps (like 50 free throws daily, running, workouts) and reasons (time spent benefited others) to support the argument for preparing for the basketball team tryout, not emotional appeals.
• Logos uses logic, reasons, and evidence. The passage provides specific actions (free throws, running, workouts) and evidence (time spent benefited other players) to support the argument about how to prepare, which is logical reasoning. The other options misdefine pathos (credibility is ethos, showing steps isn't pathos) and misdefine logos (doesn't play on emotions about not making the team).

Answer:

D. logos, because it provides reasons and evidence for the speaker’s argument