The New Logo

Due to the concerns of many that our former logo was unacceptable because the words "debaters' syndicate" were written over the Wesley College crest, we were compelled to design a new logo. This was in a way quite fortunate, as it provided us with a chance to make a meaningful symbol which defines us and signifies what we stand for. Thus a two month long designing process began to create a new logo.....an emblem....a symbol that defined and best explained the Wesley College Debaters’ Syndicate.

Our former logo

So without further a due here is our new logo:

As I mentioned before the new logo is a meaningful one and its meaning is centered on Aristotle’s three arts of argumentation and persuasion: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos.

• The Greek letter Lambda signifies Logos or logic our primary weapon as debaters. Logic involving deductive and inductive reasoning, analysis, the internal consistency of the message--the clarity of the claim, the logic of its reasons, the effectiveness of its supporting evidence, is central and imperative for any good argument, and is thus the primary mode of persuasion. As you may have noticed the letter lambda can be seen to be intertwined with a sword. The sword being the primary weapon of a warrior in most cultures signifies how logos or logic is the Debaters' syndicates’ primary weapon........something we will not go into a debate without.
  

• Aristotle’s second appeal is Ethos (Greek for 'character') or the credibility of a speaker. We tend to believe people whom we respect. One of the central necessities of argumentation is to project an impression to the listener that you are someone worth listening to, in other words making yourself a credible authority on the subject of the debate, as well as someone who is likable and worthy of respect. This is symbolized by the Greek letter Epsilon and is connected to the shield in the center of the emblem. Thus the letter Epsilon and it's connection to the Shield seen at the center of the emblem signifies how the Debaters' Syndicate protects itself and it's arguments with credibility.

• The third technique of rhetoric being Pathos (Greek for 'suffering' or 'experience') is about the emotional appeal of one who is in argument. A good debater appeals to our sense of identity and self interest and exploits common biases; we naturally bend in the direction of what is advantageous to us, what serves our interests or the interests of any group we believe ourselves a part of. This is achieved through the emotional or motivational appeals; vivid language, emotional language and numerous sensory details like stories, humor etc. Thus the numerous methods of practicing pathos is symbolized by the Greek letter Pi and the four Ninja throwing knives (four signifying the numerous methods of practicing pathos).A ninja throwing knife or shuriken is a long distance and deadly secondary weapon which is an essential part of a Ninja’s arsenal either to be used in isolation or in complimenting his primary weapon; the Ninja sword. Thus a parallel could be drawn between a Ninja’s throwing stars and the importance of Pathos for a debater.

· The shaded blue circle is meant to symbolize Wesley College and its double blue colours to which our allegiances lie.

Thus to summarize we debate with logos (logic) as our primary weapon, Pathos (emotional appeal) as our secondary weapon and Ethos (credibility) to shield our arguments. This to us ( the current debating team of Wesley) symbolizes and defines the Wesley College Debaters’ Syndicate’s approach towards debate and argument and our commitment towards furthering and perfecting all three of these areas which are central for the creation and debating of arguments and the presentation of these arguments.

Please comment and give us your input and opinion about our new logo.

Maleen Jayasuriya

President

WCDS