Concise Notes on Persuasive Speaking

  • Chapter Objectives

    • Define types of persuasive speeches.
    • Complete a persuasive speech outline.
    • Enhance credibility through ethos, pathos, and logos.
    • Understand inductive and deductive reasoning.
    • Identify argumentative fallacies.

  • Definition of Persuasion

    • Ethical obligations must be met.
    • Focus on the audience's attitudes, values, and beliefs.
    • Involves creating, reinforcing, or changing beliefs or actions.

  • How to Persuade

    • Utilize credibility (ethos): Knowledgeable speaker with good character.
    • Appeal to emotions (pathos): Use relatable ideas, language, imagery.
    • Convince through reasoning (logos): Logical arguments.

  • Types of Persuasive Speeches

    • Questions of Fact: Assert something is true or false.
    • Example: Gun control laws leading to crime rates.
    • Questions of Value: Make moral judgments.
    • Example: Stricter gun laws are morally right.
    • Questions of Policy: Advocate for specific actions or policies.
    • Example: Pass laws against assault weapons.

  • Elements of Questions of Policy

    • Need: Present a necessity for change.
    • Plan: Offer a feasible solution.
    • Practicality: Ensure no new problems arise.

  • Organizational Patterns

    • Problem-Solution.
    • Problem-Cause-Solution.
    • Comparative Advantages.
    • Monroe’s Motivated Sequence:
    1. Gain attention.
    2. Show need for change.
    3. Present new plan.
    4. Visualize benefits.
    5. Urge action.

  • Fallacies: Common reasoning errors to avoid

    • Ad Hominem, Appeal to Novelty, Bandwagon, Circular Reasoning, etc.
    • Others include: False Analogy, Hasty Generalization, Non-Sequitur, etc.

  • Reflection Questions

    • Distinguish between propositions of fact, value, and policy.
    • Determine the organizational pattern for your speech.
    • Effectively use ethos, pathos, and logos in your content.
    • Plan reasoning strategies and avoid fallacies.

  • Key Terms

    • Ad Hominem, Bandwagon, Circular Reasoning, Deductive Reasoning, Inductive Reasoning, Logos, Pathos, Persuasion, etc.
    • Additional terms: Problem-Solution, Proposition, Question of Policy, Fallacies, etc.