Persuasion Logic and Reasoning What is EVIDENCE? What is the definition of LOGIC? What is the definition of REASONING? Sherlock Holmes “It’s elementary, Watson” Reasoning by sign

Inductive Reasoning Induction is when one argues from specific instances to a generalization. 1. sign 2. ANALOGY (must include one in your speech) EXAMPLE: Gas is to car as wood is to fire EXAMPLE: As a caterpillar grows out of its cocoon, we too must grow out of our comfort zone

Deductive Reasoning Deductive is when one argues from generalizations or premises to a specific instance. SYLLOGISM is a formulaic argument that has two premises and a conclusion. MUST include ONE in your speech. EXAMPLES:

Logical Fallacies 1. Hasty Generalization Fallacies are errors in reasoning or mistaken beliefs. They are the “do-nots” of solid logic. 1. Hasty Generalization 2. False Premise 3. Circumstantial Evidence 4. Mistaken Causality (Post hoc, ergo propter hoc) 5. Red Herring (diversion) 6. False Analogy 7. Slippery Slope (This will lead to that) 8. Either-or (one is right, the other must be wrong) 9. Ad populum (band wagon) 10. Ad verecundium (based on higher authority or tradition) 11. Ad hominem (attack the person/credibility rather than the argument) 12. Straw Man (the actual position is ignored and it is substituted with an exaggeration or distortion)

1. Hasty Generalization Faulty because the the sample chosen is too small or in some way not representative. EXAMPLE: watching t.v., you flip through three channels (you have hundreds) and see only commercials and your hasty generalization is “There is nothing but commercials on t.v!” Often, statistics can misrepresent the truth.

2. False Premise This is an error in deduction (remember this is a broad generalization to a specific conclusion). EXAMPLE (using a syllogism) General premise: All teens are irresponsible Specific premise: You are a teenager Conclusion: Therefore, you are irresponsible

3. Circumstantial Evidence Conclusion is drawn from evidence at hand that may or may not be related to the conclusion. Also called the “smoking gun”. EXAMPLE: You have two dogs, Zak and Buddy, and one of them had an accident on the floor. You can’t get Buddy to look you in the eye so you conclude that Buddy is the guilty party and he is punished.

4. Mistaken Causality (Post hoc, ergo propter hoc) Concluding that one event or action causes another to happen EXAMPLE: The bus goes past the town hall where the town clock is every day at noon. Of course, the clock chimes 12 times at noon. The faulty conclusion is that the bus causes the clock to chime 12 times.

5. Red Herring This uses an intentional distraction to avoid the truth. Common in politics. EXAMPLE: When one issue a candidate voted on for a particular issue was unpopular, and is used as a diversion for another.

6. False Analogy Compares two things that are not the same. EXAMPLE: The argument is that students should be allowed to used notes when taking a test because professionals are allowed to use their notes when doing their work. What is the fundamental difference?

7. Slippery Slope (This will lead to that) The fault is when one assumes that if one thing occurs, it will lead to something dramatically different. EXAMPLE: If you don’t save every penny, you will become destitute in your retirement.

8. Either-or (one is right, the other must be wrong) If one is correct, the other must be incorrect! EXAMPLE: If you vote democrat, you cannot be a conservative!

9. Ad populum (band wagon) When it is incorrectly assumed that if everyone is doing it-then it is good and right. EXAMPLE: Everyone is wearing_______.

10. Ad verecundium (based on higher authority or tradition) When someone in authority tells you to do something it is right and true. Perhaps it is the tradition to do something. EXAMPLE: Why? Parents: because we said so! EXAMPLE: We always cut the ends off the ham! Why?

11. Ad hominem (attack the person/credibility rather than the argument) Attacks are made on the credibility of the speaker to avoid the position. (Similar to the Red Herring-but different in that specifically it challenges the credibility of the person) EXAMPLE: A private life issue is made public to reduce the popularity of the candidate)

12. Straw Man the actual position is ignored and it is substituted with an exaggeration or distortion EXAMPLE: So-you think we should agree to a 1% reduction in our salaries-why do you want to bleed us dry?

What is Persuasive Speaking? To induce your audience to believe as you do To influence your audience to take some directed action to take place. For your speech this action must be physical and measurable.

Be sure to know your demographics! Is your audience: Supportive? Uncommitted? Indifferent? Opposed?

ETHOS PATHOS LOGOS Review Use equal doses of these to be effective

I. Attention getting step Gain the attention of your audience Greet, make nice, preview (may be more rhetorical and vague), make a claim that does not alienate your audience. Include three different supports.

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II. Need or Problem Step Here is the first part of the body of your speech, and it is up to you to outline the problem as it exists. Your goal is, in the end, that your audience will decide to “do” something about this problem. This is also called the NEED step, where you spend a large portion of time convincing your audience that there is a problem. It is good to use PATHOS here. Include three different supports.

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III. Solution Step This step is also called the SOLUTION step where you outline the solution to the problem your audience now sees. Here is where we see your bias, but it does not have to be bold. It is wise to be sympathetic to all viewpoints, but outline why this is the right solution. Include three different supports.

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IV. Visualization Step Quite simply, this is where you lead us into a world where the above outlined solution has been put into place. What will the world look like when we have applied this solution? Why, it will be wonderful! Create a positive picture in our minds as we walk through this world after all is said and done. Include three different supports.

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V. Action Step Go ahead, ask us to consider to “move” into considering a solution or taking an actual action. Include three different supports.

Now, use this as a template for your speech! The Motivated Sequence is an easy template to use, now it is up to you to choose the right words and delivery to persuade your audience.