1. A Communication Theory Sampler
Chapter 3
A Communication Theory Sampler

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. The Public Speaking Transaction

8. 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