Using a methodology informed by rhetorical and pragmatic concepts, this thesis examines Annie Ernaux's L'evenement with a view to determining how an ethos of authenticity is created in and by the text. We begin by studying how critics of her earlier work helped construct a certain image of the author and by identifying the characteristics of Ernaux writing: all these elements contribute to the creation of an ethos prealable (a prior ethos) which conditions the reading of L'evenement. In the second chapter, we analyze certain stylistic aspects of Ernaux's writing in L'evenement (verb tenses, choice of words, syntax) which indicate that she tries to be as authentic as possible while telling her story. In the third and final chapter, we examine Ernaux's comments---in the text itself---on the writing of L'evenement. These comments constitute the author's attempt to articulate directly an ethos of authenticity that the reader will find convincing.

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