Pathos is one of the three primary modes of persuasion, along with logos and ethos. It is a term used to describe an appeal to emotion in persuasive rhetoric or other forms of writing. In literature, writers use pathos to help readers connect more deeply to characters, so that the writing resonates more strongly, and so that the themes and ideas being explored are meaningful and impactful. Pathos can be created in writing, speech, and in visual media, and the aim is to persuade an audience through an emotional appeal, or to evoke emotion in response to a piece of writing or art.

Some examples of how pathos is used effectively in books include "A Tale For The Time Being" by Ruth Ozeki and "No Man Is an Island" by John Donne. Characters in literature often use pathos to convince one another, or themselves, of a certain viewpoint. Its important to remember that pathos, perhaps more than the other modes of persuasion, relies not only on the content of what is said, but also on the tone and expressiveness of the delivery.