An Audience-Centered Approach – 7 th edition
Chapter 17
Using
Persuasive
Strategies
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Steven A. Beebe & Susan J. Beebe
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“Speech is power:
Speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Persuasion
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Establishing Credibility
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Also known as ethos.
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Audience’s perceptions of the speaker.
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Various dimensions:
Competence- knowledge & skill.
Trustworthiness- believability & honesty.
Dynamism- energy level.
Charisma- charm, talent & magnetism.
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Enhancing Your Credibility
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Credibility established in three places:
Initial credibility: perceptions before speech.
Derived credibility: impressions formed during speech.
Terminal credibility: final impressions, after speech.
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Ways to boost credibility:
Well-stressed values and concerns shared with audience.
Well-documented evidence.
Well-organized ideas.
Well-managed delivery.
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Using Logic and Evidence to Persuade
Logos: formal system of rules to reach a conclusion.
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Aristotle: “always prove what you state.”
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Reasoning: drawing a conclusion from the evidence.
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Understanding Types of Reasoning
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Inductive Reasoning.
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Deductive Reasoning.
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Causal Reasoning.
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Understanding Types of Reasoning
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Using specific examples or instances to reach a general or probable conclusion.
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Used when one can claim that an outcome is probably true because of specific evidence.
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Understanding Types of Reasoning
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Are there enough specific instances to support the conclusion?
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Are the specific instances typical?
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Are the instances recent?
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Understanding Types of Reasoning
I. Students are sneezing in dorms & classrooms.
(specific example 1)
II. Professors are cancelling classes.
(specific example 2)
III. Campus Clinic has long waiting lines.
( specific example 3)
IV. There must be a flu on our campus.
(general conclusion)
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Understanding Types of Reasoning
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Makes a comparison between two things, entities, processes, etc.
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If you conclude what is true for one can be true for the other, then the analog is strong.
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Understanding Types of Reasoning
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Are similarities between both, greater than differences?
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Is the conclusion being drawn actually true?
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Understanding Types of Reasoning
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Opposite of induction.
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Conclusion (generalization) is more certain than probable.
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The more valid or truthful the outcome, the more certain the conclusion.
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Start with widely accepted general claim, and then move towards specific conclusion illustrating general claim.
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Understanding Types of Reasoning
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Syllogism – three-part argument:
Major Premise: widely accepted general statement.
Minor Premise: specific statement that applies to the major premise.
Conclusion: logical outcome, minor premise exemplifies major premise.
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The more valid the major premise, the more valid the deduction.
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Understanding Types of Reasoning
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Is major premise
(general statement) true?
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Is minor premise
(specific instance) true?
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Understanding Types of Reasoning
I.
All tough drug laws introduced in mediumsized communities result in diminished drug-related crimes.
(generally accepted statement)
II. San Marcos, Texas is a medium-sized community. (specific case supporting general statement)
III. San Marcos should institute tough drug laws. ( specific conclusion)
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Understanding Types of Reasoning
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Relating events to show connection.
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To conclude that one or more events caused another event.
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Can move from cause to effect.
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Can move from effect to cause.
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Understanding Types of Reasoning
Cause to effect Effect to cause
I.
Interest rates have increased this week.
I.
A major earthquake has occurred.
II.
The Dow Jones will decrease.
(from a known fact to a predicted result)
II.
The cause was a shift in a fault line.
(from a known result to a predicted cause)
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Persuading the Diverse Audience
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Effectiveness depends on listeners’ background and cultural expectations.
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Some cultures prefer deduction; other cultures prefer induction.
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Use evidence that audience will see as valid and reliable.
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Use appropriate appeals to action, based on cultural norms.
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Use messages appropriate for audience.
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Use delivery that listeners find appropriate.
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Supporting Your Reasoning
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Use facts.
with Evidence
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Use valid true examples.
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Use opinions that enhance credibility.
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Use sound & reliable statistics.
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Use reluctant testimony: shows that someone has been convinced.
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Use new & specific evidence.
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Use evidence to tell a story.
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Avoid Faulty Reasoning
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Be ethical & appropriate with evidence & reasoning.
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Fallacy: false reasoning when someone attempts to persuade without adequate evidence, or with arguments that are irrelevant or inappropriate.
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Avoid Faulty Reasoning
Causal “Hurricanes are caused by war”
Hasty
Generalization
(a connection not related)
Bandwagon “Everyone knows cell phones are safe” (popularity appeals)
Either-Or “Either you’re with us or you’re against us” (only 2 choices)
“Since my niece is failing, city schools are bad” (quick
Conclusion)
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Avoid Faulty Reasoning
Ad “What does a divorced man know
Hominem about parenting?” (personal attack)
Red
Herring
Misplaced
Authority
Non
Sequitur
“Let’s not focus on the lawsuit against me; let’s talk about…”
(changing the topic to distract)
“Jessica Simpson says McMillan trucks are best” (not a true expert)
“Support me for Congress – I have 3 children” (ideas do not follow)
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Using Emotion to Persuade
Can make people feel pleasure or displeasure.
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Can make people feel more aroused.
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Can make people feel dominance.
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Tips for Using Emotion to
Persuade
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Use details that help listeners visualize.
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Use emotion-arousing words
(“freedom,” “9-11,” “mommy.”)
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Delivery should reflect emotions.
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Use pictures or images.
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Tips for Using Emotion to
Persuade
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Use appropriate metaphors & similes.
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Use right amount of fear appeals.
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Appeal to several emotions.
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Appeal to audience members’ myths.
Myth: not necessarily false, but a belief of how people view their world.
(e.g., Old West pioneers: strong & adventurous)
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Avoid unethical emotional appeals & appeals to listeners’ prejudices (demagoguery).
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Adapting Ideas to People and People to Ideas
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Identify with them.
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Clearly state your objectivity.
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Tell them exactly what you want them to do.
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Ask them for an immediate show of support.
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Use emotional appeals effectively.
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Make it easy for them to take action.
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Adapting Ideas to People and People to Ideas
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Capture their attention early.
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Stress commonly shared beliefs.
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Relate topic to them, their friends, families and loved ones.
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Be realistic with the response you want.
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Adapting Ideas to People and People to Ideas
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Wait before telling them your purpose.
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Start with noting areas of agreement.
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Set realistic goals.
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Acknowledge how they might oppose you.
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Clearly tell them any experiences you have.
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Adapting Ideas to People and People to Ideas
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Consider understanding (not advocacy) as your goal.
Summarize common misconceptions people have.
State why misconceptions may seem reasonable.
Dismiss misconceptions, and provide evidence to support your point.
State accurate information you want them to remember.
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Strategies for Organizing
Persuasive Messages
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State your strongest arguments first.
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Do not bury key arguments in the middle.
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Save action calls for the end.
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Consider presenting both sides of an issue.
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State and refute counterarguments.
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Strategies for Organizing
Persuasive Messages
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Problem – Solution.
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Refutation.
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Cause and Effect.
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Motivated Sequence.
Attention.
Need.
Satisfaction.
Visualization.
Action.
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