Ethos Calculator

Ethos Credibility Calculator

Knowledge, skills, and experience in the subject.
Honesty, character, and perceived integrity.
Credentials, titles, and social status.
Shared values and connection with the audience.

Your Ethos Score: 0/100

Understanding Ethos: The Pillar of Credibility

In the art of rhetoric, as defined by Aristotle over 2,000 years ago, Ethos represents the ethical appeal or the credibility of the speaker. While Logos appeals to logic and Pathos appeals to emotion, Ethos is the foundation upon which the other two are built. Without a high Ethos score, even the most logical argument or emotional story can fall on deaf ears.

The Four Pillars of Ethos

  • Expertise (Phronesis): This measures your practical wisdom and depth of knowledge. Are you an expert in the field? Do you have years of experience or specialized training?
  • Trustworthiness (Arete): This is the perception of your moral character. Does the audience believe you are being honest? Are you transparent about your intentions?
  • Authority (Eunoia): This relates to your official standing or credentials. Do you hold a title, degree, or position of power that gives you the "right" to speak on the topic?
  • Similarity (Identification): This is how much the audience sees themselves in you. Do you share the same values, language, or background? We trust people who are "like us."

How to Improve Your Ethos Score

If your calculated score is low, consider the following strategies to bolster your persuasive power:

  1. Cite Credible Sources: Borrow ethos from others by referencing established experts and data.
  2. Address Counter-Arguments: Showing you understand the other side demonstrates intellectual honesty (Trustworthiness).
  3. Highlight Qualifications: Don't be afraid to mention your relevant background or certifications early in your presentation (Authority).
  4. Use Appropriate Tone: Match your language to the audience's expectations to build a bridge of understanding (Similarity).

Calculation Example

Imagine a speaker with 10 years of experience in environmental science but who is unknown to the audience. Their inputs might look like this:

  • Expertise: 90 (High knowledge)
  • Trustworthiness: 75 (Initial skepticism but honest tone)
  • Authority: 50 (Strong degree, but no public fame)
  • Similarity: 65 (Shared concern for the planet)

Result: (90 + 75 + 50 + 65) / 4 = 70/100. This indicates a "Strong Speaker" who should focus more on establishing their credentials (Authority) to reach a "Dominant" level of persuasion.

function calculateEthosScore() { var expert = parseFloat(document.getElementById('expertise').value); var trust = parseFloat(document.getElementById('trustworthiness').value); var auth = parseFloat(document.getElementById('authority').value); var rel = parseFloat(document.getElementById('similarity').value); // Validation if (isNaN(expert) || isNaN(trust) || isNaN(auth) || isNaN(rel)) { alert("Please enter a numeric value for all fields."); return; } // Clamp values between 0 and 100 expert = Math.min(Math.max(expert, 0), 100); trust = Math.min(Math.max(trust, 0), 100); auth = Math.min(Math.max(auth, 0), 100); rel = Math.min(Math.max(rel, 0), 100); var score = (expert + trust + auth + rel) / 4; var resultDiv = document.getElementById('ethos-result'); var scoreSpan = document.getElementById('final-score'); var interp = document.getElementById('ethos-interpretation'); var feedback = document.getElementById('ethos-feedback'); scoreSpan.innerHTML = score.toFixed(1); resultDiv.style.display = 'block'; if (score >= 90) { interp.innerHTML = "Dominant Credibility"; interp.style.color = "#27ae60"; feedback.innerHTML = "Your audience views you as an absolute authority. Your words carry immense weight and require very little external validation."; } else if (score >= 75) { interp.innerHTML = "Strong Credibility"; interp.style.color = "#2980b9"; feedback.innerHTML = "You are highly persuasive. You have established a solid foundation of trust and knowledge that will resonate with most audiences."; } else if (score >= 50) { interp.innerHTML = "Moderate Credibility"; interp.style.color = "#f39c12"; feedback.innerHTML = "You have potential, but your audience may still be skeptical. Work on highlighting your specific credentials or building a stronger personal connection."; } else { interp.innerHTML = "Weak Credibility"; interp.style.color = "#c0392b"; feedback.innerHTML = "Your message is likely to be ignored or doubted. Focus on transparency and citing expert third-party sources to bolster your position."; } }

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