An Example of an Effective Use of Pathos in the Book Culture Jam by Kalle Lasn

The book Culture Jam, written by Kalle Lasn, uses pathos, ethos, and logos to appeal to the reader, but the emphasis is put on pathos. Lasn wrote his book with the intention of explaining his feelings on modern day society, and all of its inherent problems, particularly the negative impact of media. With anecdotes ranging from the common to the surprising, Culture Jam makes its best points by playing on the reader's emotions. Lasn accomplishes this emotional appeal with two methods. First, he uses stories that the average reader can relate to on a personal level. He also uses photographs to make points. Although all three forms of rhetoric are found in Culture Jam, Lasn seems to rely most heavily upon pathos.

Culture Jam was written with the intention of explaining Lasn's feelings toward modern-day society, and all of its inherent problems, particularly the negative impact of the media on the general population. Throughout the book, Lasn often presents one point in a few different stories. This is an ingenious technique, as it makes a single concept appeal to people with radically different backgrounds. An easily-seen example can be found in the beginning chapters of the book, which relate specifically to media addiction. The first story is an example of Lasn appealing to those with families. The second story appeals to all readers, with no mention of family made.