PROMPT #1: Aristotle’s ideas concerning rhetoric, persuasion, and oratory helped shaped the field of Communication as we know it today. In particular, the relevance and importance of the concepts of logos, pathos, and ethos have stood the test of time. The effectiveness of any communication encounter–from a political speech addressing a mass audience to a conversation with a friend about where to go for dinner–often depends on the speaker’s ability to employ logos, pathos, and ethos in a competent and respectful manner.

With this in mind, please respond to the following: To what extent do you feel that logos, pathos, and ethos play a role in YOUR day-to-day communication encounters? Specifically, how often do you employ these rhetorical devices, and how often do you feel that others employ them in their interactions with you? Likewise, to what extent do you notice the use of logos, pathos, and ethos in public communication acts (e.g., public speeches, advertisements, published articles, ideas and arguments posted on social media and other online platforms, etc.). Finally, which one (if any) do you feel is the most important for speakers to employ? In other words, do you believe that one of the three rhetorical devices is more effective or more persuasive than the other two? Please explain all of your responses and support your ideas with examples from your own experiences and observations.
PROMPT #2: Next, what is one idea that stood out to you from EITHER Chapter 23 or Chapter 24? You can discuss a concept or idea that you agree with or find interesting, or you may point out an idea that you disagree with or are confused about. This response does not need to be lengthy, but it should demonstrate that you’ve read the chapter and are thinking carefully and critically about the material. Also, you only need to discuss an idea from ONE of the chapters (23 or 24), not both.