Persuasive Speaking (taken from Exploring Communication) The art of convincing someone to think, believe, or act as you want them to.

Specific Criteria for a Persuasive Speech Topic The speaker should feel strongly about the topic. The speaker should feel strongly about the topic.

Types of Persuasive Speeches Questions of fact Questions of fact Questions of value Questions of value Questions of Policy Questions of Policy

Questions of Fact They deal with occurrences and the reasons they have happened, are happening, or will happen in the future. They deal with occurrences and the reasons they have happened, are happening, or will happen in the future. Examples: Examples: Lee Harvey Oswald was part of a conspiracy to assassinate John Kennedy. Lee Harvey Oswald was part of a conspiracy to assassinate John Kennedy. The new security in airports is effective in preventing terrorism. The new security in airports is effective in preventing terrorism.

Questions Of Value They go one step further than a question of fact and call for judgments about right/wrong, moral/immoral, ethical /unethical, good/bad. They go one step further than a question of fact and call for judgments about right/wrong, moral/immoral, ethical /unethical, good/bad. Examples Examples It is ethical for a journalist to reveal his sources if lives are in danger. It is ethical for a journalist to reveal his sources if lives are in danger. It is wrong to use animals for the testing of cosmetics. It is wrong to use animals for the testing of cosmetics.

Questions of Policy These questions deal with whether certain courses of action should be taken. These questions deal with whether certain courses of action should be taken. Examples: Examples: Stricter controls need to be placed on genetic research. Stricter controls need to be placed on genetic research. All grades should have open campus for lunch at Century High School. All grades should have open campus for lunch at Century High School.

Three Sources of Persuasion Aristotle’s book, Rhetoric, stated there are three primary sources by which people can be persuaded. Aristotle’s book, Rhetoric, stated there are three primary sources by which people can be persuaded. Ethos, Logos, & Pathos Ethos, Logos, & Pathos

Ethos: establishing your prestige It is the speaker’s character in the minds of the audience. Aristotle believed that one could not be a good speaker if he was not a good man. (Remember in Ancient Greece, women did not give public speeches.) It is the speaker’s character in the minds of the audience. Aristotle believed that one could not be a good speaker if he was not a good man. (Remember in Ancient Greece, women did not give public speeches.) A speaker can help establish his ethos. A speaker can help establish his ethos. Be competent – prepare for your presentation Be competent – prepare for your presentation Be sincere – allow your message to come from the heart. Be genuinely concerned for the welfare of the audience. Be sincere – allow your message to come from the heart. Be genuinely concerned for the welfare of the audience.

Logos: being logical A persuasive speaker’s job is to show listeners through logic how to fulfill their needs and desires. A persuasive speaker’s job is to show listeners through logic how to fulfill their needs and desires. One is logical in persuasive speaking using valid evidence and correct reasoning. One is logical in persuasive speaking using valid evidence and correct reasoning. Evidence – the raw material with which you must begin. Evidence – the raw material with which you must begin. Reasoning – the process of putting the raw material together into a logical argument, which in turn may be used to reach a logical conclusion. Reasoning – the process of putting the raw material together into a logical argument, which in turn may be used to reach a logical conclusion.

Pathos: analyzing the needs of your listeners It is the listeners owns needs, wants or desires. A speaker must appeal to these needs, wants, and/or desires in order to be persuasive. It is the listeners owns needs, wants or desires. A speaker must appeal to these needs, wants, and/or desires in order to be persuasive. In general, audience’s fall into four categories: positive, neutral, disinterested, and opposed. In general, audience’s fall into four categories: positive, neutral, disinterested, and opposed.

Positive Audience Already agree with your thesis Your duty is to “deepen” their feelings about the topic. Their basic need is a “recharging.”

Neutral Audience These audiences are neither for nor against your topic. They need information so it is possible for them to form an opinion.

Disinterested Audience They know about the topic but they don’t care about it. “Electrify” this audience. Show the seriousness of the topic, the closeness of danger, or the way in which they will be affected. They need to be motivated to care.

Opposed Audience This audience is the most difficult to face. These people disagree with your stand on the topic. Soften them up, then present sound evidence.

More persuasive techniques… Support reasons with evidence Support reasons with evidence Use facts (information that can be verified) Use facts (information that can be verified) Use current information (within last eight years) Use current information (within last eight years) Expert opinion (who is an expert?) Expert opinion (who is an expert?) Is the evidence verifiable and reliable? Is the evidence verifiable and reliable?

Organize your presentation in a logical manner! Monroe Motivated sequence developed by Professor Alan H. Monroe Monroe Motivated sequence developed by Professor Alan H. Monroe 5 steps to persuade an audience 5 steps to persuade an audience Draw attention to the problem Draw attention to the problem Show a need for action Show a need for action Outline a plan that will satisfy the need Outline a plan that will satisfy the need Help the audience visualize the benefits of that plan of action Help the audience visualize the benefits of that plan of action Suggest a specific action that will put the plan into practice Suggest a specific action that will put the plan into practice

Presentation Organization (con’t.)… Problem/Solution Pattern Problem/Solution Pattern Devote first half of speech defining or explaining a problem that is occurring or will occur. Devote first half of speech defining or explaining a problem that is occurring or will occur. Devote second half is spent developing a solution or solutions to the problem. Devote second half is spent developing a solution or solutions to the problem.