In the case of aryl halides, what makes halogens (e.g., chlorine) ortho and para directing groups in electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions?

Step-by-step solution

Aryl halides like chlorobenzene have halogens as ortho and para directing groups due to the resonance effect. Although halogens exhibit a -I effect, the resonance effect increases electron density at the ortho and para positions, making them directing groups.