1. Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasion (speaking and writing effectively) How much do you know?
2. Who persuades you? Television Commercials Radio- “Don’t turn that dial” Presidential Election speeches Billboards Bumper Stickers You even use persuasion on your parents!
3. Who’s Aristotle? Aristotle : 384 BC- 322 BC 1. Greek Philosopher (a study concerned with ethics and reasoning among other things) 2. Student of Plato: another Greek philosopher “Rhetoric,” to Aristotle= “ability to see the available means of persuasion
4. Three Elements of Persuasion: 3 types of persuasive approaches 1. Logos (Greek for “word”)- appeals to logic or reasoning provides evidence, statistics, proof 2. Pathos (Greek for “suffering” or “experience”)- appeals to emotions 3. Ethos (Greek for “character”)- proves you are reliable/credible source, proves you are someone worth listening to
5. 3 Ways to Persuade! Using Logos (appealing to logic)- use facts/statistics/evidence to help support your argument Using Ethos (proves you are a reliable source)- try to find things you may have in common with your audience and build on them Using Pathos (appealing to emotions)- use vivid words, figurative language, and imagery- make your audience feel what you are talking about
6. Relate & Develop How to RELATE to your audience & DEVELOP your argument further… Try using: Examples Illustrations Anecdotes/short stories Quotes Comparisons Expert opinions
8. Know your audience! In order to be most effective, you must KNOW your audience. 4 things you must know! 1. Basic data: age, gender, education, occupation- How might these change your approach? 2. Knowledge of the topic: Do your audience members already have knowledge about your topic?- How might this change your approach? 3. Audience Attitude: Does your audience agree or oppose your topic? Is the audience mixed or apathetic?- How might this change your approach? 4. Audience Goal: What is the overall goal of your speech/writing? How might this change your approach?
9. Purpose Statement Decide your purpose in the beginning! Write a purpose statement which defines your main goal or objective for your speech/writing. This purpose statement will become your thesis statement!
10. Thesis Thesis statement: the main point you are trying to make throughout your paper, it shows what you believe and where you stand on the topic Ask yourself… “What is the point of my work? What am I trying to prove?” Needs an implied “should,” ex: This novel needs to be carefully read for details about the author’s life.
11. Steps to writing a persuasive letter Determine and define your audience Define your purpose for writing Decide what information to include Outline how best to support your position & what reasons or benefits will the reader find convincing? Try to foresee the possible or potential objections of your readers Discover if there are any special circumstances that you should keep in mind.
12. Then… Decide what you want your reader to do Determine the objections that must be overcome Make as strong a case as necessary Use a direct request if your reader will have minimal objections Ask immediately for the information or service you want Give readers all the information they need Tell readers what you want them to do
13. Ways to prevent REJECTION! Catch the reader's interest by mentioning common ground Define the problem you share Explain the solution to the problem Show that negative elements (cost, time) are outweighed by the benefits of acting Summarize any additional benefits to acting Tell readers exactly what you want them to do
