A Communication Theory Sampler Chapter 3 A Communication Theory Sampler

What We Will Discuss… Communication is… Aristotle’s Rhetorical Appeals Pervasive, amoral, agenda-advancing Aristotle’s Rhetorical Appeals Logos, Pathos, Ethos Process of Communication = SMCRE Maximize audience Motivation and Ability = ELM

What is Communication Pervasive Amoral Advances Life-agendas Cannot NOT communicate Humans assign meaning even when no communication Amoral Ethically neutral Morality comes from persons involved Advances Life-agendas Communication skills = success Choose whether ethical or unethical intentions

Aristotle’s Lessons Logos = Logical Appeal Pathos = Emotional Appeals “Listen to my message because it makes sense” Provide organized, scholarly, consistent supporting data in your speech Pathos = Emotional Appeals Listen to my message because it causes you to feel” Emotional appeals motivate non-motivated audiences Ethos = Speaker Credibility Perception of speaker’s competence, trustworthiness, good will for audience

Communication as a Process SMCRE Communication as a Process Source Message Channel Receiver Environment Which variable can you control the most? The Message

Elaboration Likelihood Model Logos Facts and logic Motivated and able Not or able Audience Central Peripheral Route Resistant Less Persuadable Results Speech/Speaker Fear Appeals = Pathos Source Credibility = Ethos

The Public Speaking Transaction

Strategies to Aid Listening Use confident language Consider different listening styles Offer opportunities for clarification Strong message that’s relevant to audience Use standard English and define unfamiliar terms