1. Persuading your Audience
“Not an inch to the west! Not an inch to the east!
I’ll stay here, not budging! I can and I will. If it makes you and me and the whole world stand still!”
--from Dr. Suess’ “The Zax"

2. Audience
QW: Why does audience matter? Why is it important to think about your audience when presenting/ persuading?
Need to connect with your audience. Consider:
Popular knowledge/ opinion
Reliable/ credible sources
Relevant experience
Symbolism and imagery
Visual aides vs. visual distractions (be purposeful!)
Appeal to the eye (clarity, focus, impact)

3. PATHOS
Do you appeal to your readers’ feelings, emotions, values, or morals?
You can make your reader feel morally or emotionally invested through……
Evocative language
Metaphor/ storytelling
Specific descriptions
Passionate delivery

4. LOGOS
Do your opinions and reasoning seem sound? Do your conclusions logical?
Your paper will seem logical and sound if you include…
Reliable sources
Studies & research results
Stats, facts, figures, surveys
Logical conclusions/inferences

5. ETHOS
Do your readers trust you? Are your sources credible and reliable?
You can build trust & credibility through…
Relevant experience
Use of appropriate language & avoiding bias
Reliable sources
Addressing counter-arguments
Consulting experts
Following academic conventions

6. Pathos, Logos or Ethos?

7. Pathos, Logos, or Ethos?

8. Pathos, Logos or Ethos?

9. Pathos, Logos or Ethos?

10. Pathos, Logos or Ethos?

11. Pathos, Logos or Ethos?

12. Pathos, Logos or Ethos?

13. Pathos, Logos or Ethos?

14. Now back to your audience
Your audience will influence the types of appeals you use as a basis for your argument.
Which appeals are best for….
Hostile audiences?
Ambivalent audiences?
Academic audiences?
Audiences who already agree?