Which literary term refers to creating emotional appeal through narration or rhetoric?

Pathos is the literary term that refers to the emotional appeal in writing or speech. It is used to evoke feelings from the audience, often by engaging them through compelling stories, vivid imagery, or heartfelt language. In literature and rhetoric, when an author or speaker successfully taps into the audience's emotions, persuading them to feel sympathy, anger, joy, or any other sentiment, they are employing pathos. This connection is crucial for effective communication, especially in narratives where the audience's emotional investment can lead to a greater impact of the themes or messages being conveyed.

Other terms have distinct meanings: logos refers to logical appeal and rational arguments, ethos pertains to the credibility and ethical appeal of the speaker or narrator, and anecdote is a short personal story used to illustrate a point but does not necessarily focus on emotional appeal. Thus, the essence of pathos lies in its ability to stir feelings, making it central to creating emotional connections through narrative or rhetoric.