Sally Koering Zimney: The Balance of Aristotle’s Appeals

Sally Koering Zimney is a presentation coach and consultant, an award-winning speaker and a writer whose mission is to create talks that move audiences and the world. She has 15+ years of experience coaching speakers and creating impactful experiences that open minds and hearts. Sally is also the host of This Moved Me, a podcast and blog about the art of public speaking. She has interviewed beloved TED speakers like Julian Treasure, storytelling experts like Michael Margolis, and brilliant undiscovered talent, while sharing insight and inspiration so that our talks can move the world. What are the Aristotle’s appeals? Aristotle developed the three appeals or three ways how speakers can persuade people. The 3 appeals are: ethos (using your character, who you are), logos (using your logic) and pathos (using emotions). The balance of Aristotle’s appeals: ethos, logos and pathos The emotional appeal (pathos) is essential but it needs to be balanced with logos and ethos. The balance comes down to a sense of authenticity. TED speakers such as Brené Brown and Ben Saunders show the balance because their topics are grounded and logical, but the talks are also emotionally compelling, and they share who they are. Strategies to achieve the balance of Aristotle’s appeals Sally recommends three clear strategies to achieve the balance: * Focus on stories. Stories allow you a pathway to pathos and ethos, it opens up people’s willingness to hear. * Check that you are taking some personal risk. Are you personalizing your talk? * Give yourself the time for a creative process. It starts with Preparation, follows with Incubation (sleeping, taking a walk), then comes the Illumination (Aha-moment), and ends with Verification (getting feedback). The creative process starts again in a cycle. Related: 4 Easy Rhetorical Devices for Any Talk Favorite quotation “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.