Persuasive Speaking

Photo by Nkululeko Mabena on Unsplash

Persuasive speaking is an art that is used to influence the audience. It relies on rhetoric, emotional appeal and logical arguments. They are known as the three pillars of persuasive speaking. It is very common in politics, advertising and debate. For example;

A politician might declare,

“We stand at a crossroads. This is the time to act on climate change. Join us in making a difference.”

I will share in brief about the three pillars of persuasive speaking:

1. Ethos: It involves building trust and authority. A speaker who is knowledgeable, honest and respectful is more likely to persuade the audience.
2. Pathos: It involves audience engagement. Storytelling, relatable examples pull emotions and move the listeners to care and act.
3. Logos: Logical arguments provide a rational basis for persuasion. Well-structured arguments backed by facts, and data contribute to persuading the audience.

Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” and Barack Obama’s “Yes We Can” speeches are the clearcut examples of persuasive speaking.