Want to harness the speaking skills of one of history’s greatest orators?
Let me throw you back to Ancient Greece. A bustling marketplace in the city of Athens.
This was the place where philosophers gathered for discussion and debate; seeking to convince others of their wisdom.
Enter: Aristotle.
Aristotle was fascinated by the power of persuasion. He sought to understand the elements that made speeches and arguments compelling.
He observed the influential speakers of his time and found three fundamental ideas that made for persuasive communication:
Ethos. Logos. Pathos.
These were written down in his treatise on the art of persuasion, Rhetoric.
Whether you’re discussing an idea in the boardroom, delivering a powerful presentation, or just trying to convince your friend to try a new pizza place, here’s how you can use these skills.
Ethos in Persuasive Public Speaking
Ethos covers the credibility and character of the speaker.
Aristotle notes that a strong ethos can help win the trust of the audience. The more trustworthy and knowledgeable a speaker appears; the more likely people are to believe them.
When you’re giving a speech, you want your audience to view you as credible. You establish ethos by showcasing your expertise on the topic, sharing your experiences, or demonstrating your knowledge.
Imagine you’re at a finance conference. The keynote speaker, a well-known and respected certified public accountant, steps onto the stage.
He begins his speech by saying, “As a CPA with 20 years of experience, I have observed the transformative power of sound accounting principles in countless businesses.”
This builds ethos – his expertise and extensive career creates trust among the audience.
Logos in Persuasive Public Speaking
Logos focuses on the logical appeal of an argument.
Aristotle’s notes that a well-structured, evidence-based argument can persuade and convince others.
The key tools to do this are facts, reasoning, and structure – all which appeal to the intellect of the audience.
When you speak in public, you can use logos by making your speech clear, factual and rational. This helps your audience understand and trust your message.
Let’s say you’re attending a tech seminar. The speaker, a software engineer, presents a new app they’ve developed.
They explain, “Our app reduces loading time by 31% based on performance tests with 10,256 users.”
By providing specific data and results, the speaker applies logos to make a rational argument for the use of the app.
Pathos in Persuasive Public Speaking
Pathos is all about how you use emotion.
Aristotle saw that audiences were persuaded by speakers who connected with them on an emotional level. Powerful emotions – like joy, sorrow, fear, or hope – can hit home hard and inspire people to take action.
When you use pathos in public speaking, you connect with your audience’s emotions. Through stories, anecdotes, or vivid language you spark empathy, compassion and excitement.
Picture a fundraising event for a children’s hospital.
A kind oncologist talks about a young patient who battled cancer. They describe her courage and what her family has gone through this year.
As the audience listens to the story, they feel a deep sense of compassion. This empathy compels them to donate and support the cause.
Through pathos, the connection built by the speaker inspires them to action.
Final thoughts
Aristotle’s ideas about Ethos, Logos, and Pathos still influence how we communicate today.
These ancient principles help us create powerful messages and influence others.
Successful speakers use ethos, logos, and pathos to connect with their audience, balancing credibility, logic, and emotion for impactful presentations.
So, go ahead, add a little Ancient Greek to your next speech.
