Ethical appeal literary definition. Define ethical appeal 2022-10-06

Ethical appeal, also known as ethical rhetoric or moral appeal, is a type of rhetorical strategy used in literature and discourse to appeal to the audience's sense of morality and ethics. It is a way of persuading the audience to accept a certain point of view or course of action by appealing to their sense of right and wrong, fairness and justice, and moral values.

In literature, ethical appeal is often used to convey the moral message or lesson of a work. This can be seen in works of fiction, such as novels and plays, as well as in non-fiction works such as essays and speeches. For example, a novelist may use ethical appeal to convey the idea that honesty is always the best policy, or that greed is a destructive force. An essayist might use ethical appeal to argue that animal cruelty is wrong and should be stopped.

Ethical appeal can be effective because it appeals to the audience's sense of morality and values, which are often deeply held and deeply personal. By appealing to these values, the speaker or writer is able to create a sense of connection and shared purpose with the audience, which can be very persuasive.

However, ethical appeal can also be misused or abused. If the speaker or writer is not sincere or genuine in their appeal, or if they are using it to manipulate or deceive the audience, it can lose its effectiveness and even backfire. It is important for writers and speakers to use ethical appeal with care and honesty, and to be sure that their arguments and appeals are grounded in sound ethics and values.

Overall, ethical appeal is a powerful tool in literature and discourse, and can be used effectively to persuade and inspire the audience to adopt certain values and beliefs. It is important, however, to use it with care and integrity, and to be sure that it is grounded in genuine ethical principles.