Rhetoric is found throughout most aspects of our lives. Rhetorical devices simply aim to persuade or deliver a message in the most effective way possible. Since these techniques are prevalent in nearly all of our sources of information, it is essential we have the ability to identify them and the effect they have. For this reason, I will be analyzing two STEM blogs, Our Finite World and CleanEnergy.org, in respect to the effect of their purpose, organization, and balance between pathos and logos. I chose these blogs because they are stand alone, post regularly, and have a clear goal. These blogs represent two different styles and I would like my blog to end up falling somewhere in between.
Purpose & Audience
Both blogs surround the topic of energy resources and alternatives. Our Finite World “explores” the intersection between fossil fuel production and global economics. Its posts’ titles range from Do the World’s Energy Policies Make Sense? to How Renewable Energy Models Can Produce Misleading Indications and Scientific Models and Myths: What is the Difference?. The topics fit the stated purpose, by the author, Gail Tverberg. The language used in the titles also fit an educated audience. For example, the average individual would likely not search for information on “renewable energy models.” It is more intricate or complex than an uneducated or younger audience is typically searching for.
CleanEnergy.org speaks to a much different audience. The blog displays its mission to “promote responsible energy choices to ensure clean, safe, and healthy communities throughout the Southeast” on the homepage. This purpose deals with impacting a community as whole which means the messages in their posts need to apply to a very wide audience. An article titled “Demystifying EV Charging: Elementary, My Dear Watts-In” by Dave Erb simplifies how electric cars function. This post not only features a reference to one of the most iconic duos in modern culture, but it also proves to the reader that making environmentally conscious choices is not always tricky.
Organization
The two blogs also have differing designs. Our Finite World is simple and straightforward. The homepage displays the latest posts and some of the accomplished author’s professional research and the posts features clear graphs and charts.
CleanEnergy.org has a more animated design that draws the viewer’s eye to a clear call to action in “join now” and “donate”. The blog portion of the website is not the main focus. Unlike Our Finite World, the posts feature more text and lack graphics or visuals.
Both organization strategies play toward the respective blog’s message. Our Finite World does not have a true call to action so it does not require the same visuals and tone we find on the homepage of CleanEnergy.org. I believe that they could each take notes from the other’s design. CleanEnergy.org should showcase their blog content more (perhaps by featuring posts on the homepage) and Our Finite World should add more inviting graphics to attract people who are not in her typical audience.
The Balance of Pathos and Logos
Pathos and logos are persuasive communication techniques. Pathos evokes emotion and logos uses the power of logical reasoning and facts. In Our Finite World, Tverberg uses logos almost entirely to support her arguments. She includes statistical data and graphs to identify trends and fulfill her purpose.
CleanEnergy.org also uses logos but heavily relies on pathos to evoke emotion in their call to action. Examples of this are seen below in a video they created. In the video, “We need your help!”, the title alone creates a sense of compassion and urgency in the viewer. Within the content, images of the “devastating impacts” to the “cherished coastlines” and the “majestic colors of the Blue Ridge Mountains” highlight the natural beauty of the Southeast in hopes of convincing the viewer to feel the same.
The integration of more pathos into the posts of Our Finite World could make Tverberg’s research more appealing; however, it would stray from mold that her current audience already enjoys.
What about me?
Overall, both blogs are effective within their specific styles, but they could improve by adapting to find a middle ground. Since it would attract the largest audience, I plan to let my blog fit into that space as well. Level Up Science will have pathos to excite the reader and use logos to support claims about the future’s science. I believe this strategy will give the proper balance to fulfill my purpose. I am looking forward to testing this design.
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