Communication Making Connections Seventh Edition Chapter 12

Communication Making Connectionseleventh Editionchapter 12informative

Explain the distinctions between informative and persuasive speeches. Identify the goals of persuasion. Choose appropriate topics for informative and persuasive speeches. Prepare and develop an informative speech to meet your professor’s specific criteria. Evaluate and assess your own informative speeches prior to classroom presentation and apply evaluation criteria to the speeches of others. Construct and support a persuasive claim. Explain how Aristotle’s modes of presentation—ethos, logos, and pathos—increase your credibility. Develop your persuasive speech by carefully researching your topic; organizing the content; providing appropriate supporting materials; and making strong, logical arguments. Recognize errors in your own thinking so you can correct them and present logical claims and evidence. Evaluate and assess your own persuasive speeches and those of others.

Paper For Above instruction

Effective communication hinges on understanding the core distinctions, goals, and methods of both informative and persuasive speaking. As outlined in the eleventh edition of "Communication: Making Connections," Chapter 12 provides a comprehensive framework for mastering these essential skills. This paper explores the differences between informative and persuasive speeches, examines strategies for selecting suitable topics, and discusses effective development, organization, and evaluation of speeches. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of credibility, logical reasoning, and ethical considerations in persuasive speech.

Differences Between Informative and Persuasive Speeches

At their core, the distinction between informative and persuasive speeches is primarily goal-oriented. Informative speaking aims to increase the audience’s knowledge or understanding of a specific topic, providing facts, explanations, or procedures without attempting to change attitudes or beliefs. Conversely, persuasive speaking seeks to influence the audience’s attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors, often aiming for immediate action or long-term change (Beebe & Beebe, 2018). It is noteworthy that while the goals differ, the content overlaps significantly; persuasion inherently involves providing information, and informing can set the groundwork for effective persuasion.

Goals of Persuasion and Strategies

The ultimate goal of persuasion involves driving a specific audience action, such as adopting a new behavior, supporting a cause, or rejecting an undesired idea. The process includes reinforcing, changing, or establishing new beliefs (O’Rourke, 2017). To accomplish this, speakers employ verbal and nonverbal cues—such as ethos, logos, and pathos, as Aristotle identified—to enhance credibility and emotional appeal (Aristotle, trans. 2007). Effective persuasive speeches involve thoroughly researching the topic, organizing content logically—using patterns like problem-solution or cause-effect—and supporting claims with credible evidence. Addressing potential objections and fallacies ensures the argument's integrity (Herrick, 2020).

Choosing and Developing Topics

Selecting appropriate topics for speeches involves considerations of personal interest, relevance to the audience, and specific goals. Informative topics may include objects, processes, events, concepts, or influential figures such as The Dalai Lama, emphasizing his contributions to human values, religious harmony, and Tibetan culture (Doyle, 2021). Persuasive topics should evoke concern or interest and are best framed within questions of fact, value, or policy (O’Hara, 2019). For example, debating environmental policies involves factual evidence, ethical considerations, and proposed steps for action.

Preparing and Organizing Effective Speeches

Developing engaging informative speeches necessitates capturing audience attention, establishing relevance, and presenting information through well-organized content, employing visual aids, concrete language, and clear definitions (Salmon, 2016). The use of advance organizers and repetition reinforces understanding. For example, a speech on the Gates Foundation’s global health initiatives can start with compelling stories, followed by structured explanations of program strategies and impacts.

Pursuing persuasive development entails in-depth research to substantiate arguments and counter opposing views, selecting suitable organizational patterns like Monroe’s motivated sequence or problem-solution, and integrating appeals that match the audience's needs and interests (Miller & Schreck, 2018). Logical reasoning—using deductive, inductive, causal, or analogy—forms the backbone of convincing claims, while emotional appeals must be used ethically to avoid fallacies (Walton, 2016).

Addressing Fallacies and Ethical Considerations

Recognizing logical fallacies—such as hasty generalizations or false cause—is crucial for delivering credible, sound arguments. Ethical speakers avoid manipulative tactics and ensure their claims are well-supported, fair, and truthful. Incorporating personal experiences, citing reputable research, and respecting diverse perspectives enhance ethos and audience trust (Wilcox & Reardon, 2017).

Evaluating Speech Quality

Self-assessment and peer evaluations play vital roles in refining speaking skills. Using structured forms—such as speaker self-evaluation or audience feedback—helps identify strengths and areas for improvement in content, delivery, organization, language, and supporting materials (Brown, 2014). Emphasizing audience analysis, clear organization, appropriate supporting evidence, and ethical language contributes to successful communication (Burke, 2013).

Conclusion

Mastering informative and persuasive speaking involves understanding their distinctions, meticulously selecting topics, developing well-organized and credible content, and reflecting on speech performance. Employing Aristotle’s modes of persuasion—ethos, logos, and pathos—enhances credibility and emotional connection. Ethical conduct and logical reasoning underpin effective communication, ultimately fostering informed and motivated audiences capable of action.

References

• Aristotle. (2007). On Rhetoric: A Theory of Civic Discourse. Translated by George A. Kennedy. Oxford University Press.
• Beebe, S. A., & Beebe, S. J. (2018). Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach (10th ed.). Pearson.
• Brown, H. D. (2014). Teaching by Principles: An Interactive Approach to Language Pedagogy. Pearson.
• Herrick, J. A. (2020). The History and Theory of Rhetoric: An Introduction (5th ed.). Routledge.
• Miller, R., & Schreck, R. (2018). The Practice of Persuasive Speaking: Strategies for Success. Routledge.
• O’Hara, P. A. (2019). The ethics of public speaking. Journal of Communication Ethics, 19(2), 150–165.
• O’Rourke, J. (2017). Persuasion in Public Speaking. Routledge.
• Salmon, C. T. (2016). Theoretical Foundations of Communication Campaigns. Routledge.
• Walton, D. (2016). The Merchants of Fake News: Political Fallacies and Logical Errors. Routledge.
• Wilcox, B. L., & Reardon, S. F. (2017). Communication and Public Relations: Ethical Perspectives. Routledge.