
In scholastic terms, these devices can also be used by academics when analysing political speech. This can impact upon productivity (logos) and, by doing so, the profits of the business. This is something of an art, which can make the difference between a motivated workforce or one in which morale is low. For example, in the business sector an effective manager or leader would need to be able to inspire their workforce through pathos, while showing that they share their concerns about the business and its position in its respective field (appeals to ethos). In the modern world, these skills are also highly important regardless of the context of the speaker. The ethos of the speaker is often conveyed by an opening summation of why they should be listened to. Succinctly, this is how the speaker connects with their audience, be that a political, academic, or corporate audience. Their personal character is vital in explaining how and why an audience should listen to them. Yet, the third and most important aspect of effective rhetoric is the ethos of the speaker themselves. Facts – and the ability to deploy them – provide the logical foundation stones to a speech. As the second important rhetorical device, empirical evidence can prove highly useful when constructing an argument. Of course, we shouldn’t discount the importance of logos either. For example, Michael Foot’s speech to the House of Commons in 1979 during the confidence debate drew from humour to portray Labour’s enemies as a shield being used by the clever opposition leadership.Įach of these three examples used emotion to convince an audience of their case. Yet, other emotions can be highly effective, too. An emotional speech can spur an audience into action. Give it some feelingĪ key part of effective rhetoric is pathos. Here are three key aspects of effective oration. By drawing upon specific rhetorical and oratorical devices such as pathos, logos and ethos a speaker can change debates, drive an ideological agenda, and defeat their opponents. In concert with each other, Benn’s speech slotted into a tradition of effective (some popular, some less so) parliamentary speakers, including Aneurin Bevan and Winston Churchill, Enoch Powell and George Galloway. Specifically, these were performative/dramatic delivery combined with emotional content. But history is filled with great speeches and the impact they had on events, from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address to Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech.īenn used a range of rhetorical and oratorical devices to make his powerful case. Hilary Benn’s recent speech in the UK House of Commons, for example, gained a standing ovation from supporters (and many critics) when he argued the case to bomb Islamic State in Syria.
