LAUREN RICHARD
Emotional Appeals in Education: Pathos and the IEP
Heuristics to Assess Emotions
Emotional connection
- How does the document connect to the audience on an emotional level?
- What emotions are evoked in the document whether explicitly or illicitly?
- How does the document approach the student/student’s needs on an emotional level?
Easing tensions
- Does the document anticipate reader/user questions and ease tensions?
- Does it meet the reader/user at their skill level?
- Does the document bridge any gaps that may exist between the material discussed and the reader/user?
Simple/direct language
- Does the document use simple and direct language free of jargon?
- Are things fully explained/purposes outlined clearly?
- Is the reader/user able to follow the instructions and plans within the document without struggle or confusion?
What did you research and why?
This body of research from this project centers on the role of emotion in educational communications, specifically between educators and parents/families. Through the lense of pathos, two documents from the Massachusetts Department of Education: the IEP Process Guide, and the IEP itself, are assessed for appropriate emotional connections made with their users. I believe that reaching parents’ emotional needs is crucial to building successful and long lasting relationships between educators and families; when parents and educators are on the same team, children can achieve their highest potential.
What excited you most about your research?
Currently, not much research exists on the topic of emotional appeals through educational communications. This of course caused stress due to the lack of formative data to back up my own research. Reversely, as this is unchartered territory in the field of communications research, I am truly excited to explore this subject in revolutionary ways, discover patterns, and design appropriate guidelines to assure successful emotional connections through effective communications.
How does this research reinforce or change your work as a professional?
The research collected for this specific project influences and reinforces my work as a professional communicator because I’m continuing to shape my ethos around the role of pathos within education. Holding true to my past experiences and passion for education, as my ethos evolves, I intend to use my communications degree to positively influence the field of education and how we communicate with parents and families.