In order to persuade someone, you need to ensure that they trust you and like you. You can be trusted and not liked, but it's not easy.
We do this by showing that we have experience in the field, by relating the topic to the audience, by presenting all sides of the story, and by coming across as having the best of intentions in mind.
- For example, in an argument, you might say, "I agree with you on the first point, but I did the research on point 2, and it was the other way."
- In an interview, you might express your qualificationsclearly but still come across as humble by showing you are willing to learn and take direction.
- In a speech, you would present your own experience, present a reason for the audience to care and be honest and humble to win their vote.
Pathos is an appeal to emotional reasoning.
We play on emotions to get our way from the moment we are born, and we learn more skills in this area every day. We see pathos at work in commercials where they make you feel excited, sad, or guilty to buy the product. You can help an audience feel something by asking them to imagine or visualize, or even by showing them images. You can make them feel bad, which is likely to move them to action, but by making them feel good, you are more likely to gain their loyalty.
- In an argument, you could say, "Why do I always have to be the one staying home? Why can't I go out and party?" (guilt)
- In an interview, you could talk about the culture in your last job and how much you enjoyed working with the team (playing to their sense of inclusion)
- In a speech, you could show photos or have the audience imagine the outcome. Like, "here is a photo of Angelina with her cleft palate and here she is happy as anything after the surgery that helped to turn her life around." See how this was presented with a positive spin?
So, now to the discussion topics!
Topic One:
Next week’s persuasive speech assignment requires some research referenced in Chapter 6 of the text. Students must prepare a Reference page in APA style documenting your sources. A minimum of three sources is required. What has been your experience in researching information? Are you familiar with Google Scholar, InfoTrac, library catalogs, reputableinternet search? Where will you look for sources?
Topic Two:
How will you use these methods of persuasion in your speech next week? Now that you know of them, have you identified their usage in popular culture, at home or in your workplace?