Act Out That Rhetoric

Acting is essential in anyone attempting to give a good speech. Acting has to do with the whole idea of seeming vs being, since you seem to be something but really you are just acting. The character you personify when you give a speech is who you think will appeal more to the audience. Selflessness and likability are combined in the third ethos asset. This asset is full of tricks that need a little bit of acting from the speakers part. The tricks discussed in this chapter have to be believable to the audience therefore the one using them, has to be crafty on how they go about getting the listeners to agree.

 The first role in this ethos "play" is the interested uninterested. You have to "sound as if you reached your opinion only after confronting overwhelming evidence." (Pg 73) to fully assume this role, you must seem completely unattributed by what you do want. That way it will be in what you are saying and seem more appealing to the listener. Along with this role, you must act as if what you want doesn't benefit you. It pains you to be saying it. Remember Lizzie Mcguiere's little brother? He was a master at this technique as you can see in this video in minute four. 

 The next role you must assume is to make it seem like you are not assuming a role. In the eyes of the audience you are who is giving the speech. The book calls this dubitatio. When you assume this role, you use your acting skills to "seem to be in doubt about what to say" (pg 75). Ease into your character rather than starting strong from the beginning. Just always keep in mind to be in character so that your audience doesn't notice the real seeming vs being complex that hides behind every speech.  

 An actor could go a long way in this business  They would achieve fame fortune and power by acting a role. Ethos is all about seeming versus being. Makes me think of the governator and how his acting chops got him there...