Persuasion Persuasive Public Speaking

Persuasive Public Speaking is Oral communication designed to influence the attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors of others in a setting where one person talks to many others at a time (Verlinden). Cicero said: 2,000 years ago, in order to persuade you must educate, the audience, and to keep the audience listening you must entertain them.

Persuasive Public Speaking Persuasive speaking has a natural connection to critical thinking and argumentation. A major way to persuade an audience is to make sound, convincing arguments. A significant part of preparing the speech is to think critically about your subject, the situation and your audience.

Aristotle’s 5 canons of rhetoric The ancient Greeks studied Rhetoric, defined by Aristotle as the available means of persuasion. They identified five “canons” of rhetoric, or lesser arts that constitute the greater art of rhetoric.

Invention The first canon is invention, which helps the speaker discover what to say in the speech. This includes the systematic search for content and the critical thinking to decide what should be included for the audience being addressed. This is the canon most related to critical thinking.

Disposition The second canon is disposition which is the arrangement of ideas. This is the organization of the speech. Effective arrangement and organization are essential to the persuasiveness of a speech as well, by the use of building arguments. Effective disposition also leads to greater speaker credibility

Style The third canon of rhetoric is style. This canon refers to the way language is used to express ideas. Effective use of style can help to make your ideas and message clear. Language can also hide ideas and trick people as well, thus it is important to remain ethical in use of language.

Memory The fourth canon of rhetoric is memory. This relates to how to remember to say what it is you are trying to say. It has to do today with your use of notes or a manuscript for delivery, instead of relying completely on memorization, as they did in the Greek days.

Delivery Delivery is the final canon of rhetoric. It involves the way you vocally and physically present your speech. Delivery is important because people pay more attention to ideas presented in interesting and powerful ways. Delivery can make a mediocre speech good and a good speech poor.

Suggestions for Speakers When you can choose your topic, speak about something worthwhile Know the subject about which you speak Know what you want from your audience Make the best arguments you can Analyze your audience Tailor the speech to the audience Make sure the audience knows that the subject is worthwhile

More suggestions: Use high quality evidence Cite the sources of your evidence to increase credibility and trustworthiness Be organized Respond to potential objections Be able to adapt to constraints

Suggestions for the audience Consider substance over style Think critically in the “strong sense” Consider the evidence Consider the speaker’s credibility Make an independent judgment Recognize that there will always be some uncertainty / don’t expect a persuasive speech to remove all doubt