Aristotle's Model of Communication In A Nutshell

The Aristotle model of communication is a linear model with a focus on public speaking. The Aristotle model of communication was developed by the Greek philosopher and orator Aristotle, who proposed the linear model to demonstrate the importance of the speaker and their audience during communication. It comprises three key elements: Ethos (the speaker’s degree of credibility or authority), Pathos (the ability of the speaker to form an emotional bond with the audience), and Logos (the literal meaning of the word logos is logic).

Table of Contents

Understanding the Aristotle model of communication

Element	Description	Implications	Outcome	Examples
Ethos	Ethical Appeal: Establishing credibility and trustworthiness.	Gains trust and confidence in the speaker or source.	Enhanced credibility and trust.	A doctor discussing healthcare on a medical panel.
Pathos	Emotional Appeal: Eliciting emotions and empathy from the audience.	Evokes emotional responses and connection with the message.	Emotional engagement and empathy.	A charity’s ad showing images of hungry children.
Logos	Logical Appeal: Using reasoning, evidence, and facts to support the message.	Provides rational arguments and persuades through reason.	Convincing with logical evidence.	A scientific paper presenting research findings.

The Aristotle model of communication was developed by the Greek philosopher and orator Aristotle, who proposed the linear model to demonstrate the importance of the speaker and their audience during communication.

Despite its ancient origins, the Aristotle model of communication will always be relevant since public speaking is an evergreen skill that is always in demand. Public speakers today must be able to persuade or convince their audiences, something Aristotle called rhetoric.

To achieve this, the speaker organizes the speech before delivering it according to the audience and the situation at hand. This makes the Aristotle model both linear and speaker-centric, with the audience taking on a passive role in the communication process. Indeed, while the audience can be influenced by the speaker, the model does not account for the audience interacting with the speaker via feedback.

The five components of the Aristotle model of communication

The Aristotle model of communication comprises five key components:

Speaker

The individual tasked with persuading or convincing an audience through their speech. In theory, this is achieved through careful word selection, appropriate body language, eye contact, and verbal modulation.

Speech

The message the speaker is delivering to the audience. The speaker delivers a speech to accomplish their objective.

Audience

The people who passively listen to the speech as it is delivered but who are impacted by it in some way.

Effect

The positive or negative consequences of the speech that depends on the persuasiveness of the speaker.

Occasion

The situation or context responsible for bringing people together and the reason why communication occurs.

When a politician speaks to a group of people, for example, the occasion may be an imminent election.

The three elements of a good public speaker

Given that the model is focused on the speaker, Aristotle also described three elements that must be present in a good communicator or orator.

They include:

Ethos

Ethos relates to the speaker’s credibility, authority, or character. A speaker with none of these will not be trusted by the audience – no matter how noble their intentions. Ethos can be bolstered by using appropriate language and referencing information from competent and trusted experts.

Other speakers may introduce the message with a brief biography or personal history. They may also utilize a certain voice, tone, vocabulary, or gesture to reinforce their knowledge or expertise about a topic.

For speakers, it is important to note that proper use of ethos requires an understanding of the audience. What is it that they need to hear to trust the speaker? What details are the most relevant to position the speaker as relatable and credible?

Ethos example

Companies that use celebrity endorsements to advertise their products or services make use of ethos. Think Oprah Winfrey and Weight Watchers, Michael Jordan and Nike, or actor Matthew McConaughey’s collaboration with carmaker Lincoln.

In each example, the company leverages the celebrity speaker’s reputation to increase the status of the product or service. This strategy works well since consumers believe celebrities possess certain values that the brand also wants to be associated with.

Pathos

Pathos is the ability of the speaker to form an emotional bond with the audience. Speakers who connect with the emotional environment of the room build trust and become more persuasive. It is derived from the Greek word for suffering, experience, or emotion.

To build pathos, the speaker can incorporate visual materials that invoke appropriate emotions. They can also begin the talk with a story demonstrating their knowledge or experience of the pertinent emotional issues.

Aristotle believed the speaker could form almost any emotion in the audience simply by their choice of words. This can be achieved by constant awareness of three factors:

The audience’s frame of mind.
How emotions vary from one person to the next, and
The influence the speaker has on the audience.

Pathos example

Pathos is commonly seen in advertisements such as Coca-Cola’s Taste the Feeling campaigns.

There is emotion in the slogan itself, but in each commercial, the consumer is presented with a scene depicting young, happy, exuberant people who enjoy life.

Scenes are accompanied by buoyant music, bright colors, and an energetic and convivial atmosphere that reflects the personalities of the actors.

Coca-Cola implies that if the consumer wants to be one of the happy people in their advertisement, they should buy one of its beverages. Pathos is the best choice in this situation because the other methods of persuasion are less effective.

Logos falls flat because there are few (if any) logical reasons to drink sugar-laden cola. Ethos may be more effective than logos, but ultimately, consumers care less about the company’s values than they do the product itself.

Logos

The direct ancestor of logos is the English word logic. In the context of Aristotle’s model, however, logos refers to how factual evidence is used during communication to support assertions. The act of drawing conclusions from facts is called inductive reasoning.

Communication can also encompass deductive reasoning which involves starting with a hypothesis and then confirming it with logical reasoning.

No matter which form of reasoning is used, it is important the speaker uses data, facts, or statistics to form a strong argument and convince the audience.

A message with logos should be able to stand on its own two feet, so to speak. The argument itself does not require the speaker to be charismatic or emotive, but it is acknowledged that they may be required to make “dry” facts or information more interesting.

Logos example

A city councilor that claims crime rates rose under the previous administration must be able support their claims with relevant and accurate data.. The most skilled communicators will also use logos to examine and prepare for possible counterarguments.

Aristotle vs. transactional model of communication

Whereas Aristotle’s communication model focuses on public speaking by relating it to five core elements: speaker, speech, audience, effect, and occasion.

Based on three elements of a proper communication style: ethos, pathos, and logos.

The transactional model of communication is highly contextual, and it focuses on three specific contexts: relational (interpersonal history and type of relationship a person has with another person), cultural, and social.

Thus the difference between the transactional model of communication stands in the way it conceptualizes the flow of information and allows for context with respect to Aristotle’s model of communication.

Aristotle’s model of communication and Lasswell’s model of communication

Similar to Aristotle’s communication model, the Lasswell communication model is a linear communication model.

The five elements of the Lasswell model comprise:

Aristotle’s model of communication and Berlo’s model

berlos-smcr-model — Berlo’s SMCR model was created by American communication theorist David Berlo in 1960, who expanded the Shannon-Weaver model of communication into clear and distinct parts. Berlo’s SMCR model is a one-way or linear communication framework based on the Shannon-Weaver communication model.

Similar to Aristotle’s communication model, Berlo’s communication model is a linear communication model based on four main components and phases:

Aristotle’s model of communication examples

Interested in learning how Aristotle’s model of communication applies the modern contexts? If so, we have listed some examples below.

Political speeches

When a political candidate is up for election, they deliver speeches to their constituency to obtain as many votes as possible and emerge as the winner.

The occasion mentioned in Aristotle’s model of communication is an election in this case, and the politician’s speech is made to compel the audience to respond in the manner that they intend.

To secure votes, the politician may promise new critical new infrastructure or show their support for an important local issue.

They may also use storytelling as a persuasive tool, informing the constituency that they grew up in the area, attended the local university, and are passionate about improving community safety and access to services.

While this happens, the audience passively listens to the information that is communicated and depending on how persuasive it was, votes for the politician (a positive effect) or chooses another candidate (a negative effect).

Television advertisements

When an automaker advertises on commercial television, the occasion is the release of a new off-road model that offers superior performance and seven seats.

Alternatively, the occasion may simply be that a target audience of people is watching television at the same time on a Monday evening.

The individual who provides the voice-over for the ad is the speaker who tries to convince the audience to take action and purchase a specific model.

The audience may be particularly passive in this example since most viewers are simply watching their favorite movie or TV show and are not in the market for a new vehicle.

However, some members of the audience will be interested in an off-road model that can also seat their whole family.

If the company has done its research, it will know that families watch television at certain times of the week and will touch on important pain points around safety and performance in their advertising campaigns.

For the automaker, a positive effect occurs when a TV viewer decides to visit one of their dealerships and place an order.

Radio speeches

In a more traditional example of Aristotle’s model of communication, consider the fireside chats delivered by Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s and 40s.

The fireside chats were a series of evening radio speeches on issues like the economic recovery from the Great Depression and, in later years, updates on the course of the Second World War.

These were the occasions that brought people together.

Roosevelt (the speaker) also used radio to quash rumors, counter conservative rhetoric in newspapers, and explain his policies in ways the average American could understand (the audience).

His speeches were delivered with a tone and demeanor that communicated confidence and self-assuredness to citizens (the effect) in what was an uncertain period in history.

Business Presentation

Imagine a scenario where a CEO is delivering a presentation to the company’s shareholders about a new strategic direction. In this case:

Speaker: The CEO is responsible for delivering the presentation and persuading the shareholders to support the new strategy. The CEO’s credibility, expertise, and leadership qualities contribute to their ethos.
Speech: The content of the presentation outlines the company’s vision, goals, and the benefits of the new strategy. Logical arguments (logos) are backed by data and projections, and the CEO uses emotional anecdotes (pathos) to connect with shareholders.
Audience: Shareholders passively listen to the CEO’s presentation. Their understanding of the new strategy and their emotional response will determine the overall effect of the speech.
Effect: The effect of the speech could be positive if the CEO effectively communicates the potential for growth and improved profitability with the new strategy. Shareholders might be inspired to support the plan.
Occasion: The occasion is the shareholder meeting where the CEO presents the new strategy. The timing and context of the presentation influence how receptive shareholders are to the message.

Advertising Campaign

Consider an advertising campaign for a luxury perfume brand. The campaign aims to persuade consumers to associate the brand with sophistication and elegance.

Speaker: In this case, the brand itself is the speaker. The brand’s credibility (ethos) is established through its reputation for high-quality products and celebrity endorsements.
Speech: The advertising message showcases the perfume’s unique blend of rare ingredients and its connection to luxury and exclusivity. The use of descriptive language appeals to the audience’s senses (pathos).
Audience: Consumers passively receive the advertising message through various media channels. The emotional appeal and aspirational imagery aim to create a positive emotional response.
Effect: The effect of the campaign is measured by consumer perception, brand recognition, and ultimately, sales. A successful campaign would lead to increased brand loyalty and consumer purchases.
Occasion: The occasion is the launch of the advertising campaign. The timing of the campaign’s release and its alignment with relevant events or seasons can impact its effectiveness.

Employee Town Hall

In an employee town hall meeting, the company’s CEO addresses employees about upcoming changes in the organization’s structure and policies.

Speaker: The CEO is the speaker who aims to gain employees’ understanding and support for the changes. The CEO’s credibility (ethos) and ability to empathize with employees contribute to their persuasive impact.
Speech: The CEO explains the reasons behind the changes, how they will benefit the company, and how employees’ roles may be affected. Logical reasoning (logos) is used to justify the decisions, and the CEO acknowledges potential concerns and uncertainties (pathos).
Audience: Employees passively listen to the CEO’s message. Their emotional response and understanding of the changes will influence their level of acceptance and engagement.
Effect: The effect of the town hall meeting will be reflected in employee morale, attitude towards the changes, and willingness to adapt. A successful presentation would result in employees feeling informed and motivated.
Occasion: The occasion is the town hall meeting where the CEO addresses the employees. The timing of the meeting and the CEO’s ability to address potential resistance can impact the success of the communication.

Product Launch Event

During the launch event of a new smartphone, the company’s spokesperson delivers a presentation to a room full of journalists, tech enthusiasts, and potential customers.

Speaker: The spokesperson is responsible for introducing the new smartphone and generating excitement among the audience. Their expertise in technology and charisma contribute to their credibility (ethos).
Speech: The presentation highlights the innovative features of the smartphone, its advanced technology, and its potential to enhance users’ lives. Logical explanations (logos) of the smartphone’s capabilities are combined with emotionally appealing narratives (pathos).
Audience: The audience consists of journalists, tech enthusiasts, and potential customers who are eager to learn about the new product. Their perception of the smartphone’s value and benefits will shape their response.
Effect: The effect of the presentation is measured by media coverage, social media buzz, and pre-orders of the smartphone. A successful presentation would lead to positive reviews, high anticipation, and strong initial sales.
Occasion: The occasion is the product launch event, where the smartphone is unveiled to the public. The timing, venue, and presentation style all contribute to the overall impact on the audience.

Wedding Toast:

Ethos: The person giving a wedding toast often shares personal experiences or anecdotes about the couple, establishing credibility through their relationship with the couple.
Pathos: The toast aims to connect emotionally (pathos) with the newlyweds and guests by expressing love, best wishes, and heartfelt sentiments.
Logos: While less common in wedding toasts, the speaker may use logical reasoning (logos) to convey practical advice or share stories that highlight the couple’s compatibility.

Parent-Teacher Conference:

Ethos: Teachers establish ethos through their qualifications and experience, while parents may rely on their personal involvement and concern for their child’s education.
Pathos: Emotions (pathos) often run high during parent-teacher conferences, as parents may express concerns or pride, and teachers may address students’ progress or challenges.
Logos: Logical discussions (logos) about a child’s academic performance, behavior, and potential solutions are essential to address concerns effectively.

Public Apology:

Ethos: A public figure or organization may seek to restore credibility (ethos) by issuing a public apology for a mistake or wrongdoing.
Pathos: The apology aims to connect emotionally (pathos) with those affected by expressing remorse, empathy, and understanding of their feelings.
Logos: While empathy is a primary focus, the apology may also include a logical plan (logos) for rectifying the situation or preventing similar issues in the future.

Community Meeting for Urban Planning:

Ethos: Urban planners and community leaders establish credibility (ethos) through their expertise in city planning, while community members rely on their local knowledge and experiences.
Pathos: Emotional connections (pathos) are formed as community members express their concerns, hopes, and fears regarding proposed urban development.
Logos: The meeting involves logical discussions (logos) about the potential impact of the development, data on traffic patterns, environmental considerations, and cost estimates.

Doctor-Patient Consultation:

Ethos: Doctors establish ethos through their medical qualifications and experience, while patients may rely on trust in their healthcare provider.
Pathos: Doctor-patient consultations often involve emotional aspects (pathos), such as discussing health concerns, addressing patient fears, and empathizing with their experiences.
Logos: Logical reasoning (logos) plays a significant role as doctors explain medical diagnoses, treatment options, and provide evidence-based medical advice.

Environmental Awareness Campaign:

Ethos: Environmental organizations establish ethos by showcasing their dedication to conservation and expertise in environmental issues.
Pathos: Such campaigns aim to emotionally connect (pathos) with the public by showcasing the beauty of nature, highlighting the impact of environmental threats, and appealing to people’s love for the planet.
Logos: Logical arguments (logos) are presented through data, scientific evidence, and practical steps individuals can take to address environmental challenges.

Aristotle model of communication examples in business

In this example, consider a scenario where an entrepreneur is pitching their business idea to several representatives of a venture capital firm.

Speaker

The entrepreneur is responsible for persuading or convincing the representatives of the merits of their business idea.

This starts with body language that projects confidence in the idea and verbal modulation that keeps the audience interested and engaged with the content.

It is also important that the entrepreneur is knowledgeable about the business, industry, or topic they wish to enter.

Speech

The speech is the message the speaker is delivering to the audience. Since the entrepreneur has a pitch deck already crafted, their speech revolves around topics like:

The clear problem the product or service solves.
The size of the market and any potential competitors.
Growth models, and
Evidence that the start-up can achieve its objectives.

In addition, the speech focuses on product or service benefits (not features) and clarifies financial projects over three, six, and twelve months.

To maximize the persuasiveness of the entrepreneur’s speech, these elements should strike the correct balance between the plausibility and high-growth potential of the business idea.

Occasion

The occasion that brings people together is that the entrepreneur is seeking to secure capital and make their vision a reality.

Audience

The audience who listens to the entrepreneur as they put their case forward is the representatives of the VC firm.

Effect

Let’s assume that the effect in this example is positive. In other words, the entrepreneur has sold the merits of their idea with confidence and verifiable data. They also:

Have the talent necessary to achieve success, and
Have identified a product or service that is beneficial to customers in an underserved market segment

How To Leverage Aristotle’s model For Entrepreneurs

Remember that the three elements of ethos, pathos, and logos are essential ingredients of successful communication.

How might they apply to this example?

Ethos

This is the characteristic that makes the entrepreneur credible. Since they have founded two successful start-ups in the past and from a similar industry, the VC reps see them as more credible.

Pathos

The emotional effect of the entrepreneur and their message on the audience.

Through prior research, the entrepreneur learns that two of the VC reps are former start-up founders themselves and thus understand the emotional turmoil associated with starting a new company.

When the entrepreneur pitches their idea with passion, enthusiasm, optimism, and a touch of trepidation, the audience connects with these emotions via shared experience.

One VC employee, having been there before, finds the entrepreneur’s message impactful, motivational, and inspirational.

The other, who has experience in the same industry and understands its unique pitfalls, sees the entrepreneur as more authentic, credible, and aware of the most important issues.

Logos

Logic is also important in this example since the entrepreneur needs to underpin their business idea with logic and rationality.

Data and other forms of evidence are vital since they confirm the idea is achievable, cohesive, realistic, unique, balanced, unbiased, and able to produce tangible or measurable outcomes.

Key takeaways:

The Aristotle model of communication is a linear model with a focus on public speaking. It was developed by the Greek philosopher Aristotle to produce more effective public speakers.
The Aristotle model of communication is a linear and speaker-centric model with no scope for the audience to provide feedback. There are five basic components, including speaker, speech, audience, effect, and occasion.
The Aristotle model of communication also details how speakers can become more persuasive. Speakers must be credible, authoritative, and be able to form an emotional connection with the audience. They must also support their statements with facts and, where necessary, engage in counter-arguments.

Key Highlights

Linear Public Speaking Model: The Aristotle model of communication is a linear framework focusing on public speaking, developed by the Greek philosopher and orator Aristotle. It emphasizes the speaker’s role and their impact on the audience.
Three Key Elements: The model consists of three key elements that contribute to effective communication: Ethos (speaker’s credibility), Pathos (emotional connection with the audience), and Logos (logical arguments and evidence).
Speaker-Centric Approach: The model highlights the importance of the speaker in organizing and delivering the speech, tailoring it to the audience and occasion. It is a linear model where the audience plays a passive role without providing feedback.
Components of the Model: The Aristotle model comprises five components: Speaker, Speech, Audience, Effect, and Occasion. These elements collectively contribute to the success of communication.
Ethos, Pathos, and Logos: Aristotle identified three elements essential for effective communication: Ethos (speaker’s credibility), Pathos (emotional connection), and Logos (logical arguments). A skilled communicator balances these elements to persuade the audience.
Modern Application: The model’s principles are still relevant in modern contexts, especially in public speaking, politics, advertising, and business pitches. It’s a foundation for understanding the art of persuasion and effective communication.
Examples: Examples of the model’s application include political speeches, television advertisements, radio broadcasts, and business pitches. In each case, the elements of ethos, pathos, and logos influence the speaker’s success in connecting with the audience.
Comparisons: The model is compared with other communication frameworks such as the transactional model, Lasswell’s model, and Berlo’s model. These comparisons highlight differences in perspective and emphasis on various aspects of communication.
Key Takeaways: The Aristotle model underscores the significance of the speaker’s credibility, emotional connection, and logical arguments in persuading an audience. It provides a structured approach to crafting persuasive speeches and messages.

Aristotle’s model of communication strategies

Business Scenario	Ethos (Credibility and Trustworthiness)	Pathos (Emotional Appeal)	Logos (Logical Appeal)	Outcome
CEO’s Product Presentation	CEO’s industry expertise and track record.	Relatable anecdotes about product development challenges.	Data-backed evidence of product superiority.	Audience trust and product acceptance.
Customer Testimonials in Marketing	Customer reviews and testimonials highlighting satisfaction.	Customer success stories showcasing emotional experiences.	Data illustrating improved product performance or results.	Increased customer trust and loyalty.
Investor Pitch	Proven track record of management team.	Passionate description of the company’s mission and vision.	Financial projections and market analysis supporting ROI.	Investor confidence and funding acquisition.
Crisis Management Communication	Spokesperson’s experience in handling crises.	Empathetic messaging expressing concern for those affected.	Clear, logical steps and solutions to address the crisis.	Rebuilding trust and reputation.
Marketing Campaign for a Social Cause	Company’s history of social responsibility initiatives.	Heartfelt stories of individuals positively impacted.	Statistics and facts demonstrating the cause’s importance.	Enhanced brand reputation and engagement.
Product Launch Event	Expertise of product development and design teams.	Emotionally charged product unveiling and storytelling.	Demonstrations and product specifications showcasing value.	Excitement, anticipation, and sales.
Employee Training	Trainers’ certifications and qualifications.	Personal anecdotes connecting training to real-life scenarios.	Logical explanations and step-by-step instructions.	Employee trust, skill development, and efficiency.
Sales Presentation	Salesperson’s industry knowledge and success record.	Relatable stories of customer success with the product.	Data and case studies illustrating product benefits.	Increased sales and customer conversions.
Recruitment Pitch	Company’s awards, recognitions, and industry rankings.	Passionate description of company culture and values.	Details of career growth opportunities and benefits.	Attraction of top talent and job candidates.
Customer Support Resolution	Customer support agent’s expertise and training.	Empathetic understanding and acknowledgment of customer’s issue.	Clear and systematic steps to resolve the problem.	Customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Marketing for Luxury Products	Brand’s heritage and history of craftsmanship.	Evoking desire, exclusivity, and luxury lifestyle in ads.	Details of materials, craftsmanship, and limited availability.	Strong brand association with luxury.
Nonprofit Fundraising Campaign	Nonprofit’s track record of impactful projects.	Heart-wrenching stories of beneficiaries in need.	Financial transparency and allocation of donations.	Increased donations and support.
Environmental Sustainability Initiative	Company’s commitment to eco-friendly practices.	Heartfelt narratives on the importance of environmental conservation.	Data on reduced carbon footprint and sustainable practices.	Positive brand image and eco-consciousness.
New Technology Product Promotion	Tech company’s history of innovation and patents.	Excitement-inducing product reveal and demonstrations.	Technical specifications and performance benchmarks.	Increased product adoption and sales.
Rebranding After a Merger	New entity’s leadership and integration strategy.	Messages highlighting the emotional aspects of change for employees.	A roadmap outlining the transition and benefits for stakeholders.	Successful merger integration and unity.
Health and Wellness Product Marketing	Endorsement by healthcare professionals or institutions.	Testimonials from individuals sharing life-changing experiences.	Scientific research and clinical studies supporting product claims.	Improved brand credibility and product sales.
Diversity and Inclusion Campaign	Company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion initiatives.	Personal stories of employees benefiting from diversity efforts.	Diversity reports and statistics on hiring practices.	Enhanced reputation and diverse talent pool.
E-commerce Checkout Process Simplification	User-friendly design with trust badges and security seals.	Messages emphasizing hassle-free and secure online shopping.	Step-by-step explanations of the simplified checkout process.	Increased conversion rates and reduced cart abandonment.
Financial Advisory Services Presentation	Financial advisors’ certifications and industry experience.	Case studies illustrating successful financial planning.	Data showing historical returns and investment strategies.	Client trust and informed financial decisions.
Employee Benefits Explanation	HR department’s expertise in benefits administration.	Personal stories of employees benefiting from specific perks.	Charts and tables illustrating benefit options and costs.	Employee understanding and engagement.

What is Aristotle model of communication examples?

Some examples of Aristotle’s model of communication comprise:

What are the five main components of Aristotle's model of communication?

The five main components of Aristotle’s model of communication comprise:

What are the three elements present in Aristotle communication model?

Given that the model is focused on the speaker, Aristotle also described three elements that must be present in a good communicator or orator: Ethos (the speaker’s degree of credibility or authority), Pathos (the ability of the speaker to form an emotional bond with the audience), Logos (the literal meaning of the word logos is logic).

What is the advantage of Aristotle's model of communication?

The Aristotle model of communication is a linear communication model developed by the Greek philosopher and orator Aristotle, who proposed three key elements to communicate effectively: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos.