Understanding Aristotle's Model of Communication: Types, Differences, and Steps

What is Aristotle’s Model of Communication?

Proposed by the Greek philosopher Aristotle before 300 B.C, the Model of Communication is a distinctive communication tool. It is a linear model that emphasizes public speaking over interpersonal communication, which sets it apart from other models.

Rewritten:

Considered simple and straightforward, Aristotle's Model of Communication is the first model of communication and is still relevant today in preparing speeches, lectures, and seminars. The model is centered around the speaker and speech, consisting of five primary elements: Speaker, Speech, Occasion, Audience, and Effect.

The first primary element is the role of the speaker in delivering the speech. In this model, the speaker actively delivers the speech while the audience is passively influenced.

Three Elements of Aristotle’s Model of Communication

Aristotle believed that to become a skilled communicator, one must possess three interconnected components of communication. These elements are essential for effective communication and include

Ethos

Credibility is a defining characteristic of the speaker in the communication model, known as Ethos. Without credibility, the words of the speaker lack power over the audience, failing to persuade and impress them. A speaker's position and expertise in a specific field give them the necessary authority and power to maintain eye contact and connect with the target audience. Ethos is a vital element in Aristotle's Model of Communication, as it determines the speaker's level of credibility. For example, in an election scenario, a politician with a reputation for working diligently for the people, like Anand, is likely to gain more attention than a corrupt politician like Bilal. Ethos can be easily damaged in Aristotle's Model of Communication, as seen in Bilal's case when his involvement in a scandal tarnished his image.

Pathos

Establishing an emotional bond with the audience is key to making a connection. Pathos, one of the communication model elements, enables the speaker to connect with the audience on a deeper level by tapping into various emotions such as anger, sadness, happiness, and confidence. Both profit and non-profit organizations, as well as politicians, leverage Pathos to appeal to and connect with the emotions of their target audience. In Anand's case, he will use Pathos to highlight his good deeds and foster a connection with his audience.

Logos

In Aristotle's communication model, Logos holds great significance as it represents logic. It is not just the words of the speaker that influence the audience, but also the reasoning behind them. Therefore, in order to connect with the audience, the speaker must incorporate Logos and present factual information and statistics. While persuasion can be effective, combining it with rational thoughts and concrete evidence can have an even greater impact. For example, if a politician like Anand highlights his accomplishments with specific figures, such as the number of schools or hospitals he has helped build, his chances of resonating with the audience will increase significantly.

Criticisms of Aristotle’s Model of Communication

Aristotle’s Model of Communication has faced condemnation from other well-known personalities in this field.

and his/her delivery of the message, rather than the audience's understanding or response. This one-way approach can lead to a lack of engagement and interaction with the audience, potentially resulting in a failure to effectively convey the intended message.

The model is used in public speaking and this limits its usefulness

Aristotle’s Model makes the communication process useless as it lacks the concept of feedback

The initial version of communication model did not take into account the hindrances and interference, which are significant elements of human communication.

Examples of Aristotle’s Model

Aristotle’s Model of Communication has played an important role in oral communication and mass communication. It can be explained with the help of the following example.

of one of the countries at war

Speech – An inspirational speech to boost the morale of his army

Occasion – During a time of war when the army is facing a difficult situation

Audience – The soldiers of the leader's country

Effect – To inspire the feeling of patriotism and increase the soldiers' mental strength and determination to win the war

Speech – About war and victory

Occasion – Battlefield

Audience – Soldiers and other army personnel

Effect – Defeat enemy and gain victory

Summary

Leaders throughout history have utilized Aristotle's communication model to effectively motivate and inspire their audience. For instance, King Alexander was able to rally his soldiers to move forward in battle by delivering a powerful speech when they initially refused to cross the River Indus. Similarly, Adolf Hitler was known for his influential oratory skills that allowed him to manipulate and control his listeners with his words. Other notable leaders who possess exceptional public speaking abilities include George Washington and Barack Obama.

calls for the speaker to carefully consider their audience in order to effectively convey their message. This model emphasizes the importance of the speaker's ability to engage with their audience, understand their needs and preferences, and adjust their communication style accordingly. Ultimately, the success of the communication lies in the speaker's ability to connect with their audience and create a meaningful exchange of ideas.

The key to effective communication lies in the speaker's ability to tailor their message to the audience, ensuring that it resonates and achieves the desired outcome. Persuasion is a crucial aspect of this process, requiring the speaker to influence their listeners and convince them to adopt their viewpoint.

The role of the audience is passively influenced and can be manipulated

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