Of Plymouth Plantation: Ethos 1 key example

As a nonfiction writer, it is essential for Bradford to somehow establish his credibility—that is, his ethos—to a potential reading audience. Typically, such efforts are made at the very beginning of a work of nonfiction, particularly for journal-style, biographical, or autobiographical works. Usually, these attempts to establish credibility are stated clearly and in plain language to the reader. Bradford does not deviate from this method, beginning Book 1, Chapter 1, with this statement of intent:

In order that I may give an accurate account of the project, I must begin at the very root and rise of it; and this I shall endeavour to do in a plain style and with singular regard to the truth,—at least as near as my slender judgment can attain to it.

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