1. Persuasive Speaking

2. The nature of persuasive speeches Persuasive Speeches attempt to influence audience members Speakers want to: –have audience adopt their point of view on a subject –strengthen a shared view –weaken audience’s commitment to an opposing view –convince audience to take a specific action

3. The nature of persuasive speeches

4. The nature of a persuasive speech: Strategic discourse Select arguments with the most likely chance of achieving rhetorical purpose in an ethical way.

5. The nature of a persuasive speech: Strategic discourse You must understand audience’s perspective on your topic to: –choose arguments wisely –for effective appeal select the right blend of: ethos (credibility) logos (logic) pathos (emotion)

6. The nature of a persuasive speech: Strategic discourse

7. The nature of a persuasive speech: Fact, value, or policy claims Persuasive speeches advocate: –Fact claims: assert that something is true or false. –Value claims: attach a moral judgment to something. –Policy claims: advocate actions to be taken or approved by organizations, institutions, or members of your audience.

8. Tips for persuasive speeches Tip: If you have a fact that is debatable, you probably are dealing with a fact claim. Tip: Unless your audience is at least open to your claim, you should not use a value claim.

9. Persuasive speaking: Framing your argument based on audience

10. Incorporating persuasive strategies: Relate main and supporting points to your audience If you can relate your message to your listener’s various needs, you are more likely to persuade them.

11. Incorporating persuasive strategies: Relate main and supporting points to your audience Connecting to your listeners’ values Values: core conceptions of what is desirable for your life and society Values guide judgements Explain how your argument aligns with audience values

12. Incorporating persuasive strategies: Relate main and supporting points to your audience Demonstrate how audience benefits –Help listeners visualize benefits gained if they take the actions you are advocating. –Listeners weigh costs and benefits before responding to your persuasive appeal

13. Incorporating persuasive strategies: Acknowledge listener’s reservations Use a two-sided argument in which you voice your listener’s objections to your thesis, and then refute or mitigate them with evidence and sound reasoning.

14. Incorporating persuasive strategies: Focus on peripheral beliefs Focus your appeals to the audience’s peripheral beliefs that –will not have been held for as long Core beliefs are relatively immune to persuasion –have been held for a long time and people are invested in them

15. Ethical persuasion: Help your audience make an informed decision As an ethical speaker: –present truthful claims and key facts to help your listeners accept your thesis –do not manipulate listeners into agreement Avoid arguments based on faulty reasoning.

16. Ethical persuasion: Research your facts Ensure that facts are accurate before presenting them. If few credible sources support your claim, research other arguments that support your position.

17. Ethical persuasion: Note and biases Make listeners aware of any rewards that may come to you if they accept your thesis. Your audience will respect your honesty when you reveal any biases.

18. Ethical persuasion: Attribute your research properly Cite your sources. Ensure quotations and paraphrases are accurate.

19. Organize your persuasive speech: Policy claims Use a motivated sequence pattern that uses the following five steps: –Attention –Need –Satisfaction –Visualization –Action

20. Tips for organizing your persuasive speech Tip: It is best to motivate your audience to action when they already agree with your claims. Tip: Persuasion works best when you tailor your message to the audience, so be sure you know what your audience’s needs, motivations, and values are as they relate to your topic.