Week 7 Discussion: Methods Of Persuasion

Week 7 Discussion Methods Of Persuasion

Imagine that you recently read an article that highlights the benefits of a four-day workweek. You intend to persuade your company's CEO that this is a viable option for the company. Which one of the following appeals would you focus on in order to convince your CEO that a four-day workweek is beneficial? Choose one of the following appeals (from Chapter 17 in your textbook) and explain why you feel it will best assist you in convincing your company's CEO. Ethos: character or disposition (credibility). Logos: logic (reasoning and evidence). Pathos: emotion. Respond to at least one of your peers. Typically, a substantial post consists of 5-7 sentences and a peer response with 2-4 complete sentences. A substantial discussion forum response should make connections to course content, professional experiences, and personal experiences. Optional: Continue to hone your oral communication skills by submitting your discussion response as a 1-2 minute video or audio recording. Should you choose this option, you will be graded on your responses just as you would if you responded via text only. You will not be graded on your audio or video performance.

Paper For Above instruction

The effectiveness of persuasive communication often hinges on the appeal that best resonates with the audience's values, beliefs, and motivations. When aiming to convince a company's CEO of the benefits of implementing a four-day workweek, choosing the appropriate rhetorical appeal is crucial. Among the three primary appeals—ethos, logos, and pathos—logos, which relies on logic and evidence, appears to be the most compelling strategy in this context.

Logos appeals to the CEO’s rationality by presenting well-founded arguments, empirical data, and logical reasoning demonstrating the advantages of a four-day workweek. Research studies have consistently shown that compressed work schedules can lead to increased productivity, improved employee well-being, and cost savings for the company (Clifton & Lah, 2016). For instance, a case study of a New Zealand firm that adopted a four-day workweek reported a 20% increase in productivity while reducing operational costs (Perkins, 2019). Concrete evidence such as this bolsters the credibility of the argument, providing the CEO with tangible reasons to consider the change.

Furthermore, data from organizations that have adopted this model illustrate benefits beyond productivity. Employee satisfaction scores tend to rise when workers enjoy better work-life balance, which can translate into lower turnover rates and reduced recruitment costs (Kelliher & Anderson, 2010). The logical presentation of such outcomes appeals to the CEO's interest in efficiency, profitability, and sustainable growth. Empirical evidence helps strip away emotional biases and rhetorical persuasion, grounding the argument in objective reality.

Using logos also enables the persuader to preempt objections or concerns by providing solutions rooted in evidence. For example, potential fears about decreased coverage or collaboration can be addressed through data demonstrating that flexible scheduling does not impair communication or team cohesion (Kelliher & Anderson, 2010). This analytical approach reassures the CEO that the proposal is not just an ideological preference but a practical and beneficial change supported by credible research.

Although ethos (credibility) and pathos (emotion) are also effective rhetorical strategies, logos ensures that the argument remains focused, logical, and grounded in verifiable facts. Ethos could be established by citing expertise or authority figures, and pathos could evoke emotional appeals about work-life balance, but these are often less persuasive in a decision-making context driven by business outcomes. Therefore, leveraging logos is most likely to persuade the CEO effectively by aligning the proposal with the company's strategic goals and presenting strong evidence to support it.

References

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