Scenario: You Learn That Your College Roommate Will Be Sp
Scenario Oneyou Learn That Your College Roommate Will Be Spending A Se
Scenario One you learn that your college roommate will be spending a semester abroad. Just as you begin planning a new and better arrangement of your room, your RA knocks on your door. Standing beside him is someone who is, from the looks of it, not going to be a lot of fun: the thick-rimmed glasses, the pocket protector, the skin color suggesting little if any time spent outdoors. You keep your stereotypes to yourself and hope for the best. Unfortunately, your expectations are met.
Pat rarely talks, leaves the room, or spends time with anyone or anything besides the books and computer. You’d like to see Pat have a little bit of fun, but you’re afraid that your offer will be declined, only adding to the tension in the room. Tomorrow night is movie night at your college, when a relatively recent film is shown for free in the main auditorium on campus. Perhaps, if your persuasion attempt follows the ACE Theory, you might be successful. Use the following worksheet to prepare a script for what you would say or do to convince Pat to take a break from the books and join you in a movie.
Appropriateness (What is typical, common, or accepted practice for similar others?) ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________
Consistency (In what ways might going to the movies align with Pat’s behaviors or beliefs?) ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________
Effectiveness (How would going to the movie result in a positive outcome for Pat?) ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________
Scenario Two You just received a fabulous invitation to study and work abroad for one year.
This opportunity couldn’t be more perfect. Your parents support the idea (especially considering one of your uncles lives in the same European town) and have agreed to pay the costs associated with it. It’s what you’ve always wanted to do, and it supports your goal of appearing more worldly to potential employers. And you’ll even get paid—however modestly—for part-time work you’ll perform while there. Everything about the situation is ideal . . . except that one of the employees in the advising office lets you know that only about half of the credits will transfer and count toward your degree, partly because your school doesn’t currently have an official study abroad program.
Use the ACE model to plan how you will try to persuade the advising office to agree to award you the maximum credit possible for successfully completing your study/work abroad opportunity. Appropriateness (What is typical, common, or accepted practice for similar schools?) ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________
Consistency (In what ways might granting the credit align with the school’s goals or objectives?) ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________
Effectiveness (How would approving your request result in a positive outcome for the advising office and/or school?) ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________
Scenario Three You work at an insurance firm consisting of approximately 150 employees, with most involved in desk work.
You would like to convince the owner that an exercise/wellness program should be added to the workplace. The owner is a man in his mid-50s and is highly concerned with attendance and productivity. Use the worksheet to script out how the ACE Theory could help you in being successful in your persuasion attempt. Appropriateness (What is typical, common, or accepted practice for similar others?) ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________
Consistency (In what ways might developing an exercise/wellness program align with the owner’s behaviors or beliefs?) ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________
Effectiveness (How would developing an exercise/wellness program result in a positive outcome for the owner?) ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________
Paper For Above instruction
Persuasion is a fundamental communication process that involves influencing others to adopt certain behaviors, beliefs, or attitudes. Its effectiveness hinges on strategic preparation and presentation of arguments within an appropriate emotional context. The three primary criteria in persuasive communication encompass appropriateness, consistency, and effectiveness, as articulated by Reardon's ACE theory (Reardon, 2005). This paper applies the ACE model to three distinct scenarios, illustrating effective persuasion techniques tailored to each context.
Scenario One: Convincing Pat to Attend Movie Night
In persuading Pat to join the evening movie, the appropriateness criterion involves aligning the request with social norms and mutual interests. Given that movie nights are common campus activities, suggesting this outing aligns with accepted practices (McGuire, 2001). For Pat, who spends considerable time with books and computer, emphasizing the educational value or stress relief associated with watching a film aligns with Pat’s current focus and justifies the break. Additionally, highlighting that many peers participate makes the request more appropriate, reducing perceived social risk.
Consistency pertains to matching the request with Pat’s typical behaviors and beliefs. Since Pat spends most time alone and focused on academics, emphasizing that this activity is compatible with solitary, studious personalities can promote alignment. For instance, framing the movie night as a reward for good study habits or as a necessary refreshment can make the proposal seem consistent with Pat's self-perception and routine (Cialdini, 2009). Moreover, if Pat believes in balancing work and leisure, reinforcing this belief aligns the request with Pat's values, increasing persuasiveness.
Effectiveness hinges on demonstrating how attending the movie offers tangible benefits. Such benefits include relaxation, social bonding, and cultural exposure—positive outcomes that can reduce academic stress and foster roommate camaraderie (Kipnis & Schmidt, 1988). Stress relief aligns with Pat’s probable goal of academic success, while the opportunity for enjoyable social interaction supports well-being. Conveying that participation enhances overall quality of life can persuade Pat to accept the invitation (Petty & Cacioppo, 1986).
Scenario Two: Persuading the Advising Office for Credit Transfer
In seeking to maximize credit transfer, appropriateness involves aligning the request with institutional policies and practices. Citing examples of peer institutions successfully granting such credits establishes a precedent, making the request socially and institutionally acceptable (Kleinkopf & Campbell, 2018). Framing the proposal within the context of promoting global engagement and student success further underscores its appropriateness based on educational values.
To ensure consistency, the argument must match the school’s mission and strategic goals, such as fostering internationalization and expanding student opportunities (Tierney & LeSage, 2007). Emphasizing that this initiative supports the university’s overarching aim of producing globally aware graduates aligns the request with institutional objectives. Presenting evidence that credit transfer facilitates student mobility and aligns with the global mobility trend demonstrates consistency with current institutional trends (Knight, 2015).
In terms of effectiveness, granting the requested credits would boost the school's reputation for supporting experiential learning and international programs. It also enhances student satisfaction and competitiveness, which benefits the institution through increased enrollment and positive publicity (Hemsley-Brown & Oplatka, 2015). Demonstrating that this decision aligns with both institutional benefits and student interests creates a compelling case for approval.
Scenario Three: Advocating for an Exercise/Wellness Program in a Workplace
Appropriateness involves demonstrating that wellness programs are becoming standard in similar firms, supported by a growing body of research linking employee health to productivity and attendance (Goetzel et al., 2014). Highlighting industry trends and best practices aligns the proposal with accepted business norms, making it a socially responsible and appropriate initiative.
Consistency relates to the owner’s priorities around productivity and attendance. If the owner values efficiency and employee well-being, emphasizing that a wellness program directly supports these goals creates alignment. Showing how other successful companies have implemented such programs and reaped benefits aligns the proposal with the owner’s beliefs about productivity enhancement (Pescosolido & Tannenbaum, 2011).
Finally, effectiveness can be demonstrated by citing evidence linking exercise and wellness programs to reduced absenteeism, enhanced morale, and increased productivity (Conn et al., 2014). These outcomes not only align with the owner’s focus on productivity but also contribute to a healthier, more engaged workforce. Presenting case studies that quantify benefits further persuades the owner of the program’s value (Kohli et al., 2014).
Conclusion
Utilizing the ACE model—appropriateness, consistency, and effectiveness—can significantly enhance persuasive efforts across various contexts. Tailoring arguments to meet the criteria of the ACE model increases the likelihood of positive outcomes, whether convincing colleagues to participate in leisure activities, persuading academic administration for credit approval, or advocating workplace wellness programs. Effective persuasion requires careful understanding of the audience’s norms, beliefs, and interests, combined with strategic framing of messages that align with these factors. When properly employed, the ACE model serves as a powerful tool for influencing behavior and fostering mutually beneficial decisions.
References
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