Study Notes on Persuasion and Speech Types

Definition of Persuasion

  • Rhetorical theorist Daniel O'Keefe defines persuasion as:
    • A successful intentional effort.
    • Influencing another's mental state through communication.
    • Occurs in circumstances where the persuadee has some measure of freedom.

Types of Persuasive Speeches

  • General Purpose: Aimed at persuading, taking a position, making an argument, or calling for action.
  • Categories of Persuasive Speeches:
    • Policy Speeches: Urging action, change in rules, laws, or behaviors.
    • Example: Advocating for a ban on single-use plastics.
    • Value Speeches: Arguing the worth or morality of an idea.
    • Example: Claiming that community service is essential to citizenship.
    • Fact Speeches: Arguing something is true or false.
    • Example: Arguing that climate change is caused by human activity.

Speeches to Entertain

  • Also known as epideictic address:
    • Rhetoric of ceremony, commemoration, declamation, entertainment, and self-display.
    • Purpose: To amuse, delight, and emotionally move the audience.
  • Goals of Epidictic Speech:
    • Commemoration: Honoring an occasion, person, idea, or object.
    • Example: Celebrating a milestone in a graduation speech.
    • Connection: Establishing a bond between the honored subject and present individuals.
    • Narrative Construction: Creating a narrative about the subject being commemorated.
    • Tribute Importance: Highlighting significance of paying tribute.
  • Types of Epideictic Speeches:
    • Eulogies
    • Awards
    • Toasts
    • Motivational speeches

Selecting a Topic for a Speech

  • Topoi: The Greek word for 'topic' or 'place'; used as a rhetorical tool for idea generation.
    • Strategies for choosing topics involve:
    • Definitional Questions: What is it? How do we define it?
    • Comparison: Is the topic similar or different from others?
    • Cause and Effect: What causes a phenomenon? What are its effects?
    • Circumstantial Questions: Is this possible or impossible? Has it happened before?
    • Testimony: What do experts say about the topic?

Considerations in Topic Selection

  • Key considerations when narrowing down topics include:
    • Purpose: Define if the intent is to inform, persuade, or entertain.
    • Situation: Evaluate situational expectations based on context or invitations to speak, ensuring appropriateness of topic.
    • Time Limits: Consider how much time is available for the speech.
    • Audience: Profile the audience with respect to interests, expectations, and level of knowledge.
    • Personal Interests: Reflect on personal knowledge, passions, and what you wish to share.

Narrowing the Topic

  • Begin with a broad idea and progressively narrow it:
    • Starting Example: Dance
    • Narrowed to: Social Dance (e.g., Salsa)
    • Starting Example: Social Media
    • Narrowed to: TikTok or specific influencers.
    • Starting Example: Cultural Celebrations
    • Narrowed to: Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Researching the Topic

  • Engaging in Research: Utilize information literacy principles:
    • Identify: Recognize when information is needed and define the scope.
    • Questions: What do I need to know? What question am I trying to answer?
    • Find: Locate relevant information efficiently.
    • Questions: Where should I look? Which databases, search engines, or libraries are appropriate?
    • Evaluate: Assess credibility, relevance, accuracy, and bias of sources.
    • Questions: Is this information trustworthy? What perspective does it represent?
    • Apply: Use information effectively towards a specific goal.
    • Questions: How do I integrate this information? Am I synthesizing material correctly?
    • Acknowledge: Credit original authors, practice academic integrity and avoid plagiarism.
    • Involves understanding citation types and distinguishing common knowledge from intellectual property requiring citation.