Rhetorical principles of persuasion and the social media influencers of today

As speaker, communicator or even undercover officer the core of your performance is the holy trinity:

1. Ethos
2. Logos
3. Pathos

Aristotle's rhetorical trinity of Ethos, Logos and Pathos are nowadays well known, emphasised by communication experts/consultants. Many of them don't have any rhetorical, philologic or linguistic studies nor any behavioral or psychological studies. Hence the use of the rhetorical terms tend to be superficial and they don't anchor the terms in science nor in empiric of their own. The Trinity is fundamental but also basics in rhetoric. Many of the self-appointed rhetoric experts and consultants often focus on this. The purpose of the trinity Ethos, Logos and Pathos is often missed.

Ethos, logos and pathos are a structure for achieving a goal of persuasion. For this purpose, Cicero explained in his book De Oratore about the speaker's duties with the his proofs:

1. Docere
2. Delectare
3. Movere

That's the most important effect! Rhetoric is not about persuading, it's not true or false, it's not even right or wrong. Are you rhetorician, who believe in relativism, believe in human's power of influencing, passing on ideas and thoughts. Rhetoric is about convincing others!

To be convincing is to be genuine, or authentic. The rhetorical term is Pistis. Keep in mind that you realize that it is not just logical without common sense. Use old school to become a super Ninja Influencer of today!