First, we try to change the audience’s beliefs, attitudes, and actions, and second, possibly the context they act upon. You will be using the information for the purpose of changing something. Although your persuasive speech will involve information-probably even as much as in your informative speech-the key difference is the word “change.” Think of it like this: INFORMATION + CHANGE = PERSUASION What’s the difference?” While this chapter will refer to all of the content of the preceding chapters as it walks you through the steps of composing your persuasive speech, there is a difference. You may also be thinking, “I’ve given an informative speech. In fact, it is hard to think of life without the everyday give-and-take of persuasion. Convincing a friend to go see the latest movie instead of staying in to watch TV giving your instructor a reason to give you an extension on an assignment (do not try that for this speech, though!) writing a cover letter and resume and going through an interview for a job-all of these and so many more are examples of persuasion. Persuasion is something you do every day, in various forms. However, if you think of persuasion simply as a formal speech with a purpose of getting people to do something they do not want to do, then you will miss the value of learning persuasion and its accompanying skills of appeal, argument, and logic. On the other hand, you might not think you have any beliefs, attitudes, values, or positions that are worth advocating for in front of an audience. You might not appreciate someone telling you to change your viewpoints. You might get suspicious if you think someone is trying to persuade you. When your instructor announced on the syllabus or in class that you would be required to give a persuasive speech for this class, what was your reaction? “Oh, good, I’ve got a great idea,” or, “Oh, no!”? For many people, there is something a little uncomfortable about the word “persuasion.” It often gets paired with ideas of seduction, manipulation, force, lack of choice, or inducement as well as more positive concepts such as encouragement, influence, urging, or logical arguments.
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