I know that many other people already used this example, but a well known speaker that I really admire is Oprah. The great thing about her is that she speaks and acts like a normal American. She doesn't try to be too profound with her statements but rather is very relatable. She discusses topics that apply to the general public and does as much as possible to help the less fortunate.
Since Oprah hasn't been a huge scandal in the tabloids, she holds a great deal of credibility. People respect what she says because she has been so successful and has done a great job keeping her image positive. In some ways people strive to be more like her, so they really do listen to what she says. She has been named one of the most powerful women in America not only because she has a lot of money, but because she shares her money with people who need it more than her. Over the years Oprah has gotten made fun of about her weight, but in reality she turned her disadvantages into her own personal style. Although she may not be the most attractive women in the word, she still has a great sense of style.
The three areas listed above help creat Oprahs great ethos. Every show I feel like she is directly talking to the public and covering topics that would help improve their lives. I think that if she had more ethos, it may come off as being cheesy or fake. She also may begin to show a side of her personal character which isn't really as appropriate. For this reason, I don't think that Oprah needs any more ethos. The amount that she displays makes her seem more honest and reliable.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I agree that Oprah is a great speaker and that she has a gift to be able to connect with so many people across so many cultures, beliefs, traditions, values, and norms. She uses ethos well and makes sure she is credible is her audience's eyes and practices ethos well by living by her words and ideas that she shares with us on her show.
I would also add that when Oprah took critism about her wieght, she shared her grief, sadness, and personal journey with us. This is a good example of how she uses pathos. Overall, Ophrah does make you feel like she is just like us and inturn it is easy for us to relate to her.
I completely agree, in fact tomorrow's blog will also be about Oprah because i have the same insight as you do. Before I give too much information, I believe that her credibility as a speaker has opened doors for many individuals to see the positive more giving side of humankind. Having people like Oprah allow for others to look up to someone as a role model and view someone that is a goodhearted person. I would love to one day meet her and embrace the work she does, her heart, and of course share a meal with her to discuss her life and how she views certain ideas. She is definitely a good influence.
Post a Comment