In formal rhetoric, this is called ethos, logos, and pathos. No one type is better than the other; usually the most effective arguments -- the ones most likely to persuade someone of something -- use all three. However, some may be more appropriate for one audience over another.

The four different types of persuasive appeals are logos, ethos, pathos, and kairos. Logos, the appeal to logic, is used to convince an audience with reason.