Entertainment/ August 3, 2025/

Ethos Examples From Advertising, Writing, And Speeches

So, you ever been halfway through a commercial and thought, “Dang, why do I suddenly trust this toothpaste more than my best friend?”
Yeah—blame ethos.

We’re diving headfirst into the wonderful, occasionally manipulative world of ethos examples. From slick advertising to political speeches that somehow make you cry even though you don’t know why—we’re covering it all. And we’ll do it the only way we know how: messy, honest, and slightly awkward. Kinda like my last job interview.

What Even Is Ethos?

Let’s not overcomplicate this.

Ethos is basically credibility.
It’s the “Hey, trust me, I know my stuff” move in any argument or presentation.

Think of it like this:
If logos is the brain and pathos is the heart, ethos is the reputation.
It’s why we trust doctors when they talk about medicine… but not your neighbor Steve who still thinks Vicks VapoRub cures everything (love ya, Steve).

Why Ethos Works (Even When It Shouldn’t)

Honestly? Humans are weird.

We just want to believe people who seem experienced or smart or cool or whatever. Even if they’re talking total nonsense. Like, I once believed a motivational speaker at my high school who said, “You can be anything you want—just believe!”
I tried to be a ninja turtle for a full week.
Spoiler: Didn’t work. Shells are hard to come by.

Still, it’s a perfect ethos example—he had the suit, the mic, the voice. I bought it.

Ethos in Advertising: How Brands Make Us Say “Take My Money”

1. Celebrity Endorsements

You know the drill.

Serena Williams promotes a sneaker? Boom. Sales go up.
Oprah mentions a book? Instant bestseller.
Matthew McConaughey sells a car? I suddenly forget I don’t have a license.

Why? Because we trust them.
They have status. They feel “real.” That’s ethos doing its sneaky little magic.

Quick Hits: Celebrity Ethos Examples

George Clooney in Nespresso ads – “If Clooney drinks it, I should too.”
Shaq pushing Icy Hot – “Big guy’s got back pain like me? Sold.”
Emma Stone in Revlon campaigns – she just feels like your artsy cool cousin.

And listen, I once bought shampoo just because Zendaya used it.
Still have no idea what it does, but my bathroom smells fantastic.

2. Expert Opinions

Let’s be honest, when someone in a white coat tells us something—we listen.
That’s ethos at work again.

Those ads where a “dentist” recommends a toothpaste? Even if they’re just a paid actor, the coat sells it.

Another great ethos example?
The little “9 out of 10 dermatologists agree…” line. It’s practically an advertising cliché at this point. But we still eat it up like leftover birthday cake.

3. Brands Building Their Own Ethos

Some companies don’t even need celebrities.
They are the authority.

Apple: “We invented cool. You’re welcome.”
Nike: “You wanna be a winner? Just do it.”
Harley-Davidson: “You’re not buying a bike. You’re joining a rebellion.”

These brands live and breathe ethos.
Even if you’ve never used their stuff, you trust they know what they’re doing.

I once bought a $50 candle from a brand that said “handcrafted by monks.” Monks!
I don’t even know if they were real monks. But that’s the power of ethos examples like these—it bypasses logic and heads straight to “yeah, they know what’s up.”

Ethos in Writing: How Authors Flex Without Bragging

This one gets a little sneakier.

In writing, ethos isn’t usually shouted. It’s tucked into tone, language, and structure.

But trust me—when it’s there, you feel it.

1. Academic and Nonfiction Writing

Ever read a book and thought, “Okay, this author clearly has a PhD in something”?
That’s ethos at play.

They use careful language, cite sources, and—here’s the kicker—they sound like they know what they’re talking about. Even if they wrote the whole thing while eating cereal in pajamas. (I mean, who hasn’t?)

Common Ethos Examples in Writing

Mentioning experience: “After 20 years studying marine biology…”
Dropping institutions: “Published by Oxford Press”
Using citations or footnotes (ugh, but okay)

There’s something comforting about a footnote.
Even if I never read them. They just look smart.

2. Memoirs and Personal Essays

This one’s more emotional.

Writers build ethos by being vulnerable, honest, and relatable.
It’s not always about being an expert—sometimes it’s about being human.

You read someone’s painful breakup story, and you’re like, “Yep, been there.”
That’s ethos, baby. A softer, messier version.

I once tried writing a heartbreak piece and ended up ranting about pizza for 800 words.
Not exactly Pulitzer material, but hey—people told me it felt real.

Ethos in Speeches: The Art of “Trust Me, Folks”

Public speaking? Oh man. This is where ethos either soars or crashes harder than my attempt at rollerblading in college (never again).

1. Political Speeches

Politicians live and die by ethos.

It’s why they start speeches with:

“As a mother of three…”
“I’ve served this community for 15 years…”
“My grandfather was a coal miner…”

These lines build trust.
They make you feel like the speaker gets you. Even if their shoes cost more than your car.

I remember watching a mayoral candidate give a speech in the pouring rain, refusing to use an umbrella. Said it “showed solidarity with working folks.”
I just thought, “Man, you’re gonna get the flu.”
But it worked. That’s one of the classic ethos examples right there.

2. Motivational Speeches

Think TED Talks, graduation ceremonies, that one coach who made everyone cry.

These speakers earn your trust by being passionate, honest, and a little bit vulnerable.

They might say stuff like:

“I was just like you once—confused and unsure.”
“I failed three times before I got it right.”
“This wasn’t easy. But I kept going.”

Honestly, those lines hit harder than a triple espresso.
Especially when they’re backed by real stories. Like that speaker who said she once sold cupcakes out of her car trunk—now she owns a bakery empire.
I can’t even keep my plants alive, but I was inspired.

3. Religious and Spiritual Talks

Here, ethos often comes from tradition, community, or personal faith.

You trust the speaker because:

They’ve dedicated their life to this path
They’re part of a centuries-old tradition
They speak with conviction, not just charisma

Even if you don’t share their beliefs, you can’t help but feel the authenticity.
That’s ethos in its purest, most goosebump-y form.

Sneaky Ethos Examples You Might Miss

Not all ethos hits you over the head. Sometimes it’s so subtle, you only notice it later—like that time I realized my grandma was lowkey manipulating me with cookies.

Here are a few “ninja” examples of ethos in everyday life:

Podcast Hosts: They share a few personal stories, make you laugh, and suddenly they’re your best friend and trusted news source.
YouTubers: They say “Hey guys!” like you’re old pals. Next thing you know, you’re buying their merch.
Teachers: The ones who go, “I made this mistake once…” instantly win your trust way more than Mr. Know-It-All types.

And don’t even get me started on chefs.
You watch one Gordon Ramsay clip, and suddenly every other cook seems like a fraud. That’s pure ethos right there.

How to Use Ethos Without Sounding Like a Tool

Okay, so maybe you’re a student, a writer, a speaker—or just someone who wants to be taken seriously at brunch.

Here’s how to sprinkle in ethos without turning into a walking resume:

1. Be Honest

People can smell fake from a mile away.
Talk about what you actually know, not what you Googled five minutes ago.

2. Share Stories

Real stories = real trust.
Even if it’s a weird one. (Like that time I got stuck in a porta potty during a field trip. Long story.)

3. Stay Humble

You don’t have to be a genius.
Just show that you care and that you’ve been there.

Honestly, some of the best ethos examples come from folks who say, “I don’t have all the answers—but here’s what I’ve learned.”

Ethos Examples You’ll Never Forget (Or Maybe You Will, Who Knows)

To wrap this all up, here’s a bite-sized list of ethos examples from all over the place:

Steve Jobs at Stanford Commencement – Told his dropout story, and suddenly everyone wanted to invent the next iPhone.
Barack Obama – “I stand here knowing that my story is part of the larger American story…” Chills.
Every Apple Ad Ever – “Designed by Apple in California.” Enough said.
Jane Goodall – You trust her on chimps because she basically is one of them (in the best way).
Anthony Bourdain – Talked like your cool uncle, lived like a legend.

And one from real life:
My uncle once convinced us he knew karate because he had a black belt.
Turns out, it was just a regular belt… that happened to be black.
Still walked taller for weeks.