Antonio Reyes-Rodriguez
 

            This paper analyzes 1) how two persuasive modes discussed by Aristotle: Ethos and Pathos (Kennedy, 1991) are linguistically realized by the specific linguistic choices presented by Joe Biden and Sarah Palin in the 2008 Vice Presidential debate, and 2) how each mode could bring different interpretations and evaluations of the same event and its semiotic resources. To analyze the Ethos mode, I look at the relationship between questions and answers to see whether politicians answer the questions formulated by the moderator, showing expertise in the field. In order to define how politicians build an emotional bridge with the audience (Pathos), I analyze marked register usages (Koven, 2007; Myers-Scotton, 2001), identity references and narratives of personal experience and belonging (Duranti, 2006).