You will be graded not only for the quality of your posting but also for the level of your participation in this discussion. Your initial post of about 350 words is due by Wednesday at 11:59 P.M. (MT) of the week in which the discussion is assigned. A minimum of two (2) additional response posts of about 200 words each are due by Sunday at 11:59 P.M. (MT). Participation is required on at least three days throughout the session. Participation includes your initial post and two additional response posts. These are the minimum requirements. Be sure to follow any additional guidelines posted by the instructor.
Discussion Prompt: Identifying Aristotle’s Modes of Persuasion
Aristotle identified three ways to persuade, through ethos (character), pathos (emotions), and logos (facts and reasoning). Later, Aristotle added mythos (story) to these three modes of persuasion, arguing that a “mythical” tale is a power way to persuade. In this discussion, you will examine a short speech for evidence of Aristotle’s modes of persuasion and consider ways to integrate these rhetorical appeals in your attempts to persuade.Search the internet for a video of a short speech you find particularly persuasive (e.g., TEDx talk, sermon). Provide a brief description of the presentation, post the link to the speech, and then respond to the following:
- How specifically are ethos, logos, pathos, and mythos conveyed in the speech?
- Are the rhetorical appeals used by the speaker ethical? Why or why not? Which appeal was most effective? Why?
- Focus on the power of story to persuade (mythos, chapter 14), what is one specific audience-centered story from your own life that you would be willing to tell publicly? Why would you tell this story? In other words, how would this story serve your audience?
- What might you do to convey ethos, logos, pathos, and mythos in your persuasive presentation?
