In the TED talk, “Why all dogs are good dogs,” Alexandra Horowitz aims to challenge existing perceptions of dog behavior and to persuade her audience that all dogs are inherently good companions, regardless of their breed or behavior. Horowitz’s background provides the credibility necessary to convince her audience of the validity of her argument. Throughout her talk, she employs various rhetorical strategies to establish her ethos, appeal to pathos, and apply logos to support her argument that all dogs are inherently good companions, regardless of their breed or behavior. By sharing personal stories, highlighting positive qualities, and appealing to the audience’s compassion, Horowitz creates a strong emotional connection between herself, …show more content…
Horowitz’s persuasive argument inspires a new perspective on dogs and encourages her audience to appreciate them as valuable members of our families and communities. As a professor of psychology and director of the Dog Cognition Lab at Barnard College at Columbia University, Horowitz is an expert in dog cognition and behavior. This background provides her with the credibility necessary to convince her audience of the validity of her argument. Horowitz begins her talk by acknowledging the common belief that some breeds of dogs are inherently aggressive or dangerous. However, she counters this belief by presenting evidence from her research that a dog’s behavior is often a result of its environment and upbringing rather than its breed. By presenting her credentials as a scientist who has conducted extensive research in dog cognition and behavior, Horowitz establishes her ethos and positions herself as a reliable and credible authority on the topic. Throughout her talk, Horowitz continues to appeal to ethos by sharing personal anecdotes …show more content…
Throughout her talk, Horowitz shares anecdotes and personal stories about her own experience with dogs. For example, she describes how her dog Finn would often jump up to greet her when she came home and how this simple act brought her immense joy and comfort. By sharing these personal stories, Horowitz creates a sense of empathy and understanding between herself and her audience. She invites them to share in her love and affection for dogs and to see them not just as animals but as important and meaningful parts of our lives. Horowitz also uses a variety of emotional appeals to emphasize the positive quantities of dogs. For example, she describes how dogs have been known to detect cancer in their owners, provide comfort and support to individuals with mental health issues, and assist in rescue efforts during natural disasters. By highlighting these heartwarming and heroic stories, Horowitz encourages her audience to see dogs as more than just pets but as invaluable members of our communities and families. Horowitz appeals to the audience’s sense of compassion and empathy for animals. She describes how dogs are mistreated and misunderstood and emphasize the importance of treating them with kindness and respect. By tapping into these emotions, Horowitz strengthens her argument that all dogs are