CHAPTER RECAP

  • There are three types of persuasive speeches—speeches of fact, value, and policy—which you can use to reinforce or change listeners' attitudes and beliefs, or encourage them to take action.
  • Your ethos, or credibility, is what determines whether an audience views you as trustworthy. Failure to properly display your character, competence, and charisma can result in an ineffective speech.
  • Using the motivated sequence will help you form a logical structure to your persuasive argument, but if you lack sound reasoning, listeners are less likely to believe your claims.
  • Motivational appeals connect with an audience's needs and feelings. Also known as pathos, this is how you can get an audience emotionally involved with your topic.
  • Considering the risk of coercion, it is especially important to maintain high ethical standards in persuasive speeches and to establish goodwill with your audience.