Elements of Persuasion Get what you want

Elements of Persuasion Base your opinions on facts Clarify your position Form at least three distinct arguments Use persuasive words and phrases Convey confidence in your point of view and don’t change it.

Organizing Your Position Step 1: Figure out exactly where you stand and phrase it as a statement. Step 2: Figure out who your audience is. Step 3: Brainstorm points/arguments that support your position. What is true about the topic that proves your point? Step 4: Brainstorm/research facts that prove each of your points/arguments.

Constructing a Thesis Statement What do you believe to be true? What do you want your audience to agree to? Is there an opposing viewpoint? Is your point specific enough to argue in a short paper but broad enough to allow at least three distinct arguments to be made?

Constructing Arguments Brainstorm points that are true about your topic that support your point of view. Arguments should also have an opposing view point. Choose your three strongest or combine to create three and rank from strongest to weakest.

Fact Finding Research and brainstorm facts that support each of your three arguments Possible evidence includes the following: statistics, direct observations, expert opinions, personal anecdotes. Evaluate the evidence. Separate fact from opinion; only expert opinions carry weight in an argument. Confirm that evidence is directly relevant to your point and does not contradict your position.

Inductive vs Deductive Reasoning Deductive Reasoning: Major Premise: All cats are mammals. Minor Premise: Fluffy is a cat. Conclusion: Therefore Fluffy is a mammal. Inductive Reasoning: I have observed a hundred cats Fifty of them purred when I rubbed their heads. Fluffy is a cat. Therefore, there is a 50 percent chance that Fluffy will purr if I rub his head. If the one hundred cats that I observed are typical, then I can generalize that half of all cats will purr if I rub their heads. That allows me to make predictions about my particular cat. So inductive reasoning generalizes in order to have particular application.

Inductive Reasoning 1. Begin with a series of facts 2. Study the facts, looking for a connection among them. 3. Draw a conclusion or a generalization. Facts must be accurate Conclusion drawn must be reasonable

Evaluating Deductive Reasoning Statements must be factually accurate. Syllogisms can be untrue. Major Premise: Basketball players are the best athletes. Minor Premise: Michael Jordan is the best basketball player. Conclusion: Therefore, Michael Jordan is the best athlete.

Recognizing Fallacies A red herring statement diverts attention from the real issue. Circular reasoning takes you back to where you started “Shaquille O’Neal is a great basketball player b/c he has so much talent.” Bandwagon Reasoning asserts that something is right or true b/c “everybody” believes it or says it.

Final Advice Word your arguments and seek your facts based on objections and arguments you anticipate from the opposition. Point out specific weaknesses in the opposition. Make small concessions in your point but assert that overall your point is the way to go.