What is ethos?
The moral or guiding values and beliefs of an individual, group, or institution.
The All-Important Ethos: How Writers Use Personal Values to Craft Powerful Narratives
Ethos is a key concept in creative writing. In essence, it refers to the moral or guiding values and beliefs of an individual, group, or institution. In creative writing, an author’s ethos can be a powerful tool for crafting compelling narratives that connect with readers on a deep level.
Every writer has an ethos, whether they are aware of it or not. It is the foundation upon which every story is built, providing the writer with a sense of purpose and direction as they work their way through the creative process.
Through their writing, authors can explore and communicate their values, beliefs, and principles – themes that resonate with readers on an emotional level. When an author’s ethos is clear and consistent throughout a piece of writing, it establishes trust between the writer and the reader, creating a deeper connection that keeps readers engaged.
Moreover, effective use of ethos can also lend an air of authority and credibility to a writer’s work, especially in nonfiction. By establishing their expertise and knowledge on a subject, writers can persuade readers to take their arguments seriously – a crucial skill for journalists, essayists, and opinion writers.
Overall, understanding and developing your own ethos is vital to crafting powerful creative writing pieces and communicating with readers in a way that truly resonates and inspires.
Here are two examples of how ethos is employed in literature to craft compelling and resonant narratives:
Harper Lee’s beloved novel ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ is a masterclass in the use of ethos to craft a powerful narrative. The story’s protagonist, Atticus Finch, is a lawyer and a single father who deep-rooted sense of justice and morality guides his every action. Through Atticus’s unwavering commitment to truth and fairness, Lee successfully infuses her story with a resonant, raw ethical core that has helped make the novel a classic of American literature.
In Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s ‘Americanah,’ the author’s own ethos as a Nigerian-born writer shines through, informing every page of the novel. By exploring themes of identity, race, and culture in both America and Nigeria, Adichie uses her intimate understanding of both societies to craft a poignant and illuminating tale that speaks to a shared human experience.