Keeping Writing Honest

"Honesty is Always the Best Policy" by Michael Lemonick

Michael Lemonick  uses deliberative rhetoric in his article "Honesty is Always the Best Policy" to prove that keeping the truth in one's writing is the best course of action when writing to an audience. You see his deliberative movements many times throughout his text when he attempts to sway the reader to think like he does. Along with his deliberative rhetoric, he also appears to have an epideictic undertone when speaking about truthful science writing, which is when one uses "ceremonial discourse used to create and reinforce community values" (Selzer 284). You see this undertone when he speaks about his writing "I loved this story--it was about the physical sciences, it was clearly a big deal, and it was new and surprising to me."

Lemonick demonstrates the positive outcomes that using ethos effectively can do for one's writing. He connects with the audience by establishing his credibility on the topic of honesty in writing by using his experiences, writing about science--mostly global warming. He does this by beginning his article stating what he does, and why he does it. This elocutio (arrangement) is a great way to allow the readers to follow more closely. He slowly leads up to the topic of honesty in writing--giving the reader ample time to understand what is taking place in the text.

He also uses ethos by showing the ways that he uses truth in his own writing, "I'm still refining my own sense of judgement, weighing when it's important to give a study's weaknesses prominence and when to mention them on the side, focusing instead on the broader truth that climate change is real and potentially dangerous." Lemonick is also seen using the Aristotelian term pathos when talking directly to the audience about telling the truth in writing. By speaking directly to them, he is building a relationship, and showing them how honesty is a community value. Using this term assists Lemonick in persuading the audience to believe that honesty really is the best policy.

As we can see, Lemonick uses ethos and pathos to persuade his audience to write and read honest work. These tools are very well suited for this article because they both aid in connecting to the readers; therefore, making it easier to sway their thoughts one way or the other.