In high school, the ELA Common Core Standards require students to develop formal writing skills, creating essays and arguments that are well-thought-out, and syntactically varied. They also require students to effectively use persuasive writing strategies to defend a claim or point of view.
A key to strong persuasive writing the ability to dissect and validate, or debunk, other arguments. This requires a basic working knowledge of rhetoric. A great way to enhance students' understanding of effective arguments is to teach the Aristotelian concepts of Ethos, Pathos, and Logos. Students can then identify and analyze the effectiveness of these strategies in a work of literature, a speech, or a letter.
The Moon is Down was written to encourage the resistances of occupied countries to rise up and fight against the Nazi forces during World War II. It is a noble cause, and an honorable effort, according to most Americans. However, to look at the novel from an historical standpoint, it actually was a piece of pro-Democracy propaganda, and it was a very successful one. The novel’s ability to sway its readers emotionally, ethically, and logically is what gave it so much power then, and why it’s endured as a popular piece for the enduring ideals of freedom and democracy for so long. Have students examine the text and come up with quotes from throughout the novel of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos rhetoric. Have students illustrate these examples in a storyboard.
Example 1
"They elected me not to be confused. Six town boys were murdered this morning. I think we will have no hunt breakfast. The people do not fight wars for sport."
– Mayor Orden
Example 2
"In all the world, yours is the only government and people with a record of defeat after defeat for centuries and every time because you did not understand people."
– Mayor Orden
Example 1
"This principle does not work. First, I am the Mayor. I have no right to pass sentence of death. There is no one in this community with that right. If I should do it, I would be breaking the law as much as you."
– Mayor Orden
Example 2
"...but we are a free people; we have as many heads as we have people, and in a time of need leaders pop up among us like mushrooms."
– Doctor Winter
Example 1
"Alex, go, knowing that these men will have no rest, no rest at all until they are gone, or dead. You will make the people one."
– Mayor Orden
Example 2
"The people don’t like to be conquered, sir, and so they will not be. Free men cannot start a war, but once it is started, they can fight on in defeat. Herd men, followers of a leader, cannot do that, and so it is always the herd men who win battles and the free men who win wars."
– Mayor Orden
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows examples of ethos, pathos, and logos from the text.
Engage students by having them participate in a structured debate using topics from The Moon is Down. This method encourages authentic use of ethos, pathos, and logos while building speaking and listening skills.
Break students into groups and assign each team a specific stance and rhetorical strategy focus (ethos, pathos, or logos). This ensures everyone practices targeted persuasive techniques.
Support students as they gather textual evidence and plan arguments that align with their assigned rhetorical strategy. Encourage the use of direct quotes and clear reasoning for stronger impact.
Moderate the debate, prompting students to respond to opposing points using their strategy. Highlight moments when students effectively use ethos, pathos, or logos in their rebuttals.
Lead a class discussion where students analyze which rhetorical strategies were most persuasive and why. This reflection deepens understanding and helps them transfer skills to their writing.
Ethos, Pathos, and Logos are the main rhetorical strategies used in The Moon is Down. These techniques help convey credibility, appeal to emotions, and use logical reasoning, making the novel's arguments more persuasive and impactful.
Encourage students to find direct quotes from the text that demonstrate ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion), and logos (logic). Have them analyze how each quote supports the author’s message, and use activities like storyboarding to visually illustrate these examples.
An example of ethos from The Moon is Down is Mayor Orden saying, “They elected me not to be confused. Six town boys were murdered this morning. I think we will have no hunt breakfast. The people do not fight wars for sport.” This statement establishes his credibility and moral authority.
Teaching rhetorical strategies helps students build critical thinking and persuasive writing skills. It enables them to analyze arguments, recognize bias, and craft effective essays—core requirements of the ELA Common Core Standards.
Have students create a storyboard that illustrates examples of ethos, pathos, and logos from the novel. They can select quotes, explain their significance, and pair them with images or scenes to deepen understanding.