Chapter 13: Persuasive Presentations: Individual or Team
or reduce it, offers additional benefits of the solution, and/or recommends a course of action. This pattern
forcefully, enthusiastically, with good vocal variety while remaining conversational. As speakers move
from low to moderate dynamism, they are perceived as more credible. As speakers move from moderate
to exaggerated dynamism, they are perceived as more phony and less conversational, trustworthy, and
credible. Objectivity attached to a speaker who is open-minded, impartial, and unbiased in viewing
evidence and arguments and discusses all viewpoints. And finally, Organizational rank influences
credibility, but perhaps less than the other four elements.
Briefly describe each of the four factors/theories necessary to make your presentations persuasive, and
pinpoint at least two practical tips each factor/theory provides the persuasive speaker, including the four
methods of citing evidence in a presentation.
22. Compare the three common definitions of persuasion. What are some common misconceptions about persuasion?
There are many definitions and approaches to persuasion. Three common definitions are useful:
Persuasion is defined as communication intended to influence choice; a process with the goal of shaping,
reinforcing, or changing the responses of behaviors of others; and as Rhetoric, persuasion is defined as
the capability to discover in every given case the available means [logos, pathos, and ethos] of
persuasion (Aristotle) Some common misconceptions about persuasion are that Persuasion is not simply
offering information and letting the audience members make up their own minds (that is an informative
presentation). Persuasion is arguing for a particular view after presenting possible options. Persuasion is
not coercion. Persuasion is taking a stand and doing everything ethical within your power to convince
others that your proposal is the better one.
Explain the meaning of persuasion and the different types of persuasive presentations.
23. List the preparation steps (in order) in developing a persuasive presentation.
The eight preparation steps are as follows:
Step 1: Analyze your expected listeners and their needs (the same as preparing for an informative
presentation). Step 2: Write your exact purpose as a position statement. Step 3: Determine your initial
credibility and plan to increase it if necessary. Step 4: Research your topic and choose the best method
for presenting evidence to the audience, including a variety of supporting materials to clarify, add
interest, and support arguments. Step 5: Select the best organizational pattern for organizing the
persuasive speech. Step 6: Prepare an outline to polish verbal and visual supports, introduction, and
conclusion. Step 7: Review your presentation to ensure it is ethical. Step 8: Practice your presentation to
gain confidence.
List the steps for preparing a persuasive speech, and describe each of the following persuasive
organizational patterns: claim/reasons, causal, problem-solution, criteria satisfaction, comparative
advantages, and motivated sequence.
24. Discuss at least two of the six different persuasive organizational patterns for preparing a persuasive presentation.
Compare their approaches and give an example for when each would be appropriate to use.
A persuasive topic likely could be organized by any of the six patterns, depending on the audience,
position statement, and type of action wanted from the audience. The six patterns are 1) The claim (or
reasons) pattern presents reasons or claims for believing a particular fact, holding a particular belief, or
advocating a particular plan. This pattern is similar to the topical pattern, but the language is persuasive
rather than informative. 2) The causal pattern uses cause-effect reasoning to persuade and ends with a
solution or call to action. Cause-effect- solution and cause-effect- action patterns are used if there is a