ELEMENTSOFPERSUASION

What does it mean to persuade?1. To convince a person

or group that one’s belief is correct

2. Also, to convince others to act upon that belief.

How can people be persuaded?

• Through the use of:– Credibility– Logic– Emotions

Aristotle (384 BC-322 BC)

“[Rhetoric is] the ability, in each particular case, to see the available means of persuasion.”

- Aristotle

Credibility

“Smoking can cause serious heart problems,” explained Dr. Smith, one of the leading cardiologists for the Ohio Medical Board.

• Uses a person’s reputation to sway an audience

“My whole family smokes, and nobody ever had a heart attack,” said your neighbor, Ted.

Emotion• Appeals to the audience’s feelings to persuade them.

Logic• Uses facts, statistics, studies, and historical examples to

persuade.

What method would you use to persuade in each situation?

• You want someone to stop smoking.• You want people to stop texting and driving.• You want cell phones to be allowed in

school.• There should never be homework.

Learn your audience.

• Adhere to their: – Interests– Values– Expectations

• Be reasonable; don’t “talk down” to them

• Set your own emotions aside

FORMATFORMATPage SetupPage Setup

MLAMLA

Your entire paper should:

• Use Times New Roman, 12 pt• Be double-spaced

– No extra spaces between paragraphs

• Have 1-inch margins on all sides• Indent paragraphs (use the Tab

key)

Your first page should:

• Include four items in the upper left corner (these should be double-spaced as well):

1. Your name

2. Your instructor’s name

3. The course title

4. The due date

• Have a centered title in 12 pt Times New Roman– No need for bold, underline, or italics

12 pt. Times New Roman

Indented paragraphs

Double-spaced throughout

How to double-space:• Word 2007 and earlier:

– Click the Format menu– Click “Paragraph…”– In the section labeled “Spacing,” click the

drop-down menu and choose “Double.”

What’s wrong with this formatting?

Single-spaced information

Bolded Title

Not Times New Roman

What’s wrong with this formatting?

Larger bold title

Unnecessary Name

Margins wider than 1”