Chapter 16 Notes and Reflection
Introduction
Chapter 16 of Public Speaking for College and Career is about the art of persuasion, specifically persuasive speeches. Some of the concepts that are explicitly explored in this chapter include persuasive speaking goals, the different types of persuasive speeches and the organization patterns of persuasive speeches.
In simple terms, persuasion means influencing, changing or reinforcing the thoughts, views, beliefs or opinions of people. There are three main goals of persuasive speaking. These are winning over the audience so that they assume your intended view or take an action; knowing and understanding the subject of discussion thoroughly; maintenance of a high ethical behaviour standard (Gregory 323).
Persuasive speeches are of two main types: those intended to influence the thinking of the audience and those that are intended to influence people to take an action. The first type tries to convince the audience to adopt the speaker’s position on a certain subject. If the audience already agrees with the speaker’s position, then the aim is to reinforce this position in the audience. The second persuasive speech not only tries to influence the audience to adopt a particular position, it also tries to motivate them to take action, for instance, to continue with a certain behaviour like donating blood or to discontinuing a certain behaviour like smoking (Gregory 324).
For a persuasive speech to be effective, it must follow a certain organization. The four most effective patterns of organization of persuasive speeches are the motivated sequence, comparative advantages, problem solution and the statement of reasons pattern. The different organization patterns are composed of distinct elements that are tailored to influence the thinking of the audience in a sequential manner. For instance, the motivated sequence, which is one, of the most popular organization patterns is composed of five elements that include: attention, need, satisfaction, visualization and action (Gregory 326).
Question 1: What is important to know in this chapter for quizzes? (Use this to record your text notes. Be specific, clear and thorough for your own benefit.)
The topic of persuasion is a very wide one and therefore, there are many subtopics from this chapter are very important in the answering of quizzes. The first important thing is the definition of the word persuasion because for one to understand the concepts of a certain subject, one must understand the definition of the subject itself. The second thing that is important is the goals of persuasive speaking. The next crucial element is the different types of persuasive speeches and finally the organization patterns of persuasive speeches.
Question 2: What did you learn that you didn’t know before that can help you to become a better presenter or public speaker?
The first thing I learnt is that before one engages in giving a persuasive speech, one must have a clear understanding of the goals of persuasive speeches. For instance, I leant that I must have a clear and wide understanding of the subject of discussion if I am to convince my audience fully. I also leant that organization pattern of a persuasive speech can have a huge impact on the level of influence on the audience. I believe that these elements will go a long way in helping me to a better public speaker or presenter.
Question 3: What did you not understand or would like to have explained better?
The only thing that I would like to be explained better is: How can I as a public speaker gauge the level of influence that I have on the audience as I proceed with my persuasive speech. Knowing how to do this will help me to know whether I am going in the right direction, or whether I need to alter the method of persuasion that I am using.
Works Cited
Gregory, Hamilton. Public speaking for college and career. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1990. Print.
Gregory, Hamilton. Public speaking for college and career. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2008. Print.
