2). Consider a well-known speaker, for example, the current President of the United States. What is the speaker's strongest characteristics as a speaker? Is it credibility, attractiveness, power or all three? In what ways could the speaker build ethos in these areas?
I will use President Barack Obama and describe his strongest characteristics as a rhetorician. I think that his strongest characteristic as a speaker is his ability to arise emotions in his audience. Pathos is an emotional appeal, the concept of arising emotions in your audience for more persuasive power. President Obama has a huge advantage because of the historical power of his candidacy, but he holds it well. He manages to arise emotions in people of all race, and both genders. I think that he definitely has the other two modes of persuasion as well, pathos and logos, but his powers of emotional appeal are undeniable.
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Hi Nicciri--
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting on my blog! HAHA I found it funny that you knew what class I was talking about--hopefully I didn't offend anyone, I didn't mean to :) Anyways, I like how you wrote about President Barack Obama because I wrote about him too for a well-known speaker that I admire who has strong speaker characteristics. I agree with you when you say that he speaks with a pathos appeal during many of speeches, but I do think he may need to incorporate an ethos appeal just because of the moral that should be included in his speech--however that is just an opinion of mine.
Hi Nicciri,
ReplyDeleteAlthough I do not care for President Obama, still I will comment on you post #2. I have to agree that President Obama has the ability to arise emotions in his audience. For me, those emotions would be the slim chance of bringing this nation to a place where we can be debt free. I know it will take a long time to see this happen, but it Obama makes it seem hopeful in his long range plan. In addition, he brings hope to health care and the schools. Although, only time will tell how much of what he says will come to pass. On the other hand, even if he has the attractiveness, I think he lacks credibility and power. To me, the most influential people in this world possess credibility and power. These are the most critical attributes a leader must have in order to bring about change and success.