student rhetoric in real time

At the beginning of this semester we watched Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. give a speech, which we analyzed in terms of ethos, pathos, and logos-- the three elements that Aristotle said were essential to demonstrating an argument in such a way that we believe it.  We talked about how we intuitively observe speakers all the time, and what elements of their presentations lead us to be impressed, persuaded, bored, or offended.

The shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida has sparked a national debate about gun control and safety, particularly on school campuses.  Please take a few minutes to watch the following speech from Emma Gonzalez, a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.  Then comment to this post with your evaluation of her ethos, pathos, and logos.  Do you trust her character?  Do you feel an emotional sense of empathy or sympathy for her and/or her perspective?  Is her argument clear, truthful, and well-reasoned?  Use what you remember from our conversations (including verbal, paraverbal, and nonverbal communication) to point out evidence from her talk that supports your positions.

Here is the link to a video of Ms. Gonzalez's speech.