Aristotle’s Model of Communication
Aristotle’s Model of Communication is the first model of communication and is considered very
simple and straightforward. In current times is used while preparing speeches, lectures, and
seminars. Aristotle’s model of communication is mainly a speaker centered model where the
speaker and speech are very important. It is broadly divided into 5 primary elements Speaker,
Speech, Occasion, Audience, and Effect.
The speaker’s role to deliver a speech is considered as the first element of the 5 primary
elements. In this model, the speaker gives the speech whereas the target audience is passively
influenced.
Aristotle’s model of communication is mainly categorized into three components that are related
to each other and are considered a must to become a good communicator. These elements of
communication are as follows-
• Ethos is the characteristic that defines the credibility of the speaker in a communication
model. It is a fact that without credibility the words of the speaker will hold no power
over its audience and thus fail to impress and persuade them. Remember it is the position
and expertise in a specific field that gives the speaker credibility, authority, and power.
The speaker plays an important role and must maintain eye contact so that his speech is
widely accepted by the target audience. This is referred to as Ethos and is one of the
important elements of Aristotle’s Model of Communication.
• Pathos :When there is an emotional bond it becomes easy to make a connection. Pathos in
the communication model helps the speaker to connect with the audience through various
emotions like anger, sadness, happiness, confidence, etc.
• Logos is considered an important element of Aristotle’s communication model that
signifies logic. The audience will not only be influenced by the speech but also the logic
behind it. The speaker has to take the help of Logos in Aristotle’s communication model
and present statistics and facts so that the audience can believe and ultimately relate with
him. Persuasion will work only to a certain degree but when it is backed by rational
thoughts and factual information.
Criticisms of Aristotle’s Model of Communication
• One of the major criticisms of Aristotle’s model is that it is considered
a communication process one-way where the model is mainly focussed from
speaker to receiver. It starts from the speaker gives a speech and ends at the
receiver or the audience.
• Exploring human nature is not a criterion of this communication concept as the
Aristotle model is mainly focused on the speaker
• The model is used in public speaking and this limits its usefulness
• Aristotle’s Model makes the communication process useless as it lacks the
concept of feedback
• The first model of communication does not include the concept of barriers and
noise that are considered a major part of interpersonal communication.
The speaker-oriented Aristotle Model of Communication is a widely accepted model of
communication that can be summarized as
• The speaker plays the primary role in public speaking to attract the target audience and
the situation
• The speaker must keep the target audience in mind and then prepare his speech which
will convey the message to the recipient
• The role of the audience is passively influenced and can be manipulated
Laswell’s Model of Communication
Lasswell’s communication model views communication as the transmission of a message with
the effect as the result. The effect in this case is the measurable and obvious change in the
receiver of the message that is caused by the elements of communication. If any of the elements
change, the effect also changes. This model provides explanation for linear, one-way
communication. This model gives importance to the communicator and his message but like in
Aristotle’s model, the element of feedback was not included. However, this model had helped
improving the understanding about communication among social scientists engaged in
communication theories. This model was useful in political communication, propaganda and
political symbolism. The model also assumes the communicator wishes to influence the receiver
and, therefore, sees communication as a persuasive process.
Lasswell’s model aims to answer the following 5 questions regarding its elements:
1. Who created the message?
2. What did they say?
3. What channel did they use (TV, radio, blog)?
4. To whom did they say it?
5. What effect did it have on the receiver?
The answers to these questions offer us the main components of this model:
• Communicator,
• Message,
• Medium,
• Audience/Receiver, and
• Effect.
