The Rhetorical Triangle 2 Presentation 1: Speaker: Sheryl Sa

The Rhetorical Triangle 2 Presentation 1: Speaker: Sheryl Sandberg Title of presentation

The provided discussion analyzes two presentations focusing on persuasive communication strategies used by each speaker. The first presentation features Sheryl Sandberg’s speech titled "Why we have too few women leaders," aimed at encouraging women worldwide to remain in the workforce, challenge societal norms, and seek leadership roles. The second presentation is by Verna Myers, titled "How to overcome our biases? Walk boldly toward them," which emphasizes awareness and confrontation of subconscious biases affecting decision-making and social interactions. The analysis highlights the use of rhetorical strategies—ethos, pathos, and logos—in each speech, evaluating their effectiveness in persuading audiences. Additionally, a comparison examines how each speaker utilizes the rhetorical triangle to strengthen their messages and influence listeners.

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Introduction

Effective persuasion in public speaking hinges on a speaker's ability to employ rhetorical strategies—ethos, pathos, and logos—to influence an audience’s beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. Analyzing two speeches—Sheryl Sandberg's "Why we have too few women leaders" and Verna Myers' "How to overcome our biases? Walk boldly toward them"—provides insight into how these strategies are utilized to achieve persuasive goals. While both speakers aim to effect social change, their methods differ in focus and execution. This paper critically assesses the application and effectiveness of the rhetorical triangle within each presentation, ultimately demonstrating that Sandberg's more systematic employment of the rhetorical appeals results in a more compelling argument.

Sheryl Sandberg's Use of the Rhetorical Triangle

Sheryl Sandberg’s speech strategically employs ethos by establishing her credibility as the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook and a successful businesswoman. By sharing her professional achievements and personal experiences, she presents herself as a trustworthy source, thereby strengthening her persuasive impact (Sandberg, n.d.). This credibility encourages the audience—composed mainly of women—to accept her call for increased female leadership. Sandberg also employs pathos effectively; she shares personal anecdotes about her children, humanizing her and creating emotional resonance with her audience. Her stories about balancing motherhood and career evoke empathy and inspire motivation to pursue professional advancement despite setbacks.

Logos is a prominent feature of Sandberg’s rhetoric, as she supports her claims with relevant statistics and logical arguments. For example, she discusses the persistent pay gap between men and women and advocates for policies promoting equal pay. Her assertion that changing societal perceptions regarding gender roles is essential to achieving workplace equality is backed by data and logical reasoning. Her structured approach—posing questions, providing evidence, and drawing conclusions—creates a cohesive argument that emphasizes personal agency and societal change.

The effectiveness of Sandberg’s rhetoric lies in this balanced integration of ethos, pathos, and logos. Her credibility as a high-ranking executive, combined with emotional storytelling and factual evidence, fosters trust and motivates her audience to consider her messages seriously. This strategic application exemplifies a strong use of the rhetorical triangle, leading to a persuasive presentation capable of inspiring change.

Verna Myers' Approach to the Rhetorical Triangle

Verna Myers’ speech focuses heavily on raising awareness about unconscious biases and encouraging individuals to confront them directly. She establishes ethos through her credentials and professional affiliation, presenting herself as a knowledgeable authority on social justice and diversity issues (Myers, n.d.). Her educational background and leadership roles bolster her credibility and convince the audience of her expertise.

Pathos plays a vital role in Myers’ rhetoric; she employs emotional appeals by sharing personal stories and using tone modulation to evoke feelings of concern, reflection, and motivation. Her vocal inflections, shifting from assertive to softer tones, engage listeners emotionally and prompt them to consider their own biases more seriously. This emotional engagement acts as a catalyst for change by stirring internal reflection.

Logos in Myers’ speech is manifested through the use of facts, charts, and real-life examples. She references specific incidences, such as a white woman’s fear of interacting with African Americans, to illustrate the prevalence and insidiousness of biases. The logical structure of her argument—highlighting how biases operate subconsciously and impact societal interactions—aims to foster awareness and motivate action.

Although Myers effectively employs ethos and pathos, her logical appeals could be considered less structured and less comprehensive than Sandberg’s. Her reliance on anecdotal evidence and emotional tone makes her message compelling but perhaps less systematically persuasive. Nevertheless, her use of emotional and credible appeals creates an impactful, thought-provoking presentation.

Comparison and Conclusion

Comparing the two presentations reveals that Sandberg’s systematic and balanced use of ethos, pathos, and logos results in a more cohesive and persuasive argument. Her clear articulation, supported by statistical evidence and personal credibility, aligns well with the principles of the rhetorical triangle. In contrast, Myers’ speech, while emotionally compelling and credible, leans more heavily on storytelling and emotional appeal with less structured logical evidence.

Sandberg’s approach effectively persuades audiences to consider societal and personal changes necessary for gender equality. Her use of the rhetorical triangle exemplifies how combining credibility, emotional resonance, and logical reasoning can produce a compelling call to action. Myers’ emphasis on self-awareness about biases is impactful, but the lesser emphasis on supporting evidence reduces the overall strength of her persuasion.

Ultimately, this comparison demonstrates that mastery of the rhetorical triangle enhances persuasive effectiveness. Sandberg’s integration of ethos, pathos, and logos provides a model of strategic communication that effectively motivates societal change. Both speeches contribute valuable insights; however, the application of a comprehensive rhetorical structure significantly enhances their influence.

References

1. Sandberg, S. (n.d.). Why we have too few women leaders. Retrieved from [URL]
2. Myers, V. (n.d.). How to overcome our biases? Walk boldly toward them. Retrieved from [URL]
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