What is persuasion?

Persuasion is basically  about changing people's focus and emotions. There are two kinds of Persuasion. It is basically rhetoric and another with reasons. Rhetoric is what often a politician uses. Words. It is through the play of words without giving any reason that made the argument persuasive.

 Examples of rhetorical devices are:

1. Rhetorical question

Can we really expect the government  to keep paying from its limited resources?

2. Emotive language

Imagine being cast out into the street, hot, crammed in the crowd and frightened.

3. Parallel structures

To show kindness is worthy of praise; to show hatred is evil.

4. Sound patterns

Alliteration: Enrich, Engage and empower – This are the ingredients of a great speech

5. Contrast

Sometimes we have to cry in order to laugh

6. Description and Imagery (i.e. using metaphor, simile and personification)

While we wait and do nothing, we must not forget the fuse is almost burnt.

7. The ‘rule of three’

I ask you, is this fair, is it correct, is it justfied?

8. Repetition

Evil thoughts translate to evil ways.

9. Hyperbole (using exaggeration for effect)

While we await your decision, the whole world seems to stop.

 To persuasive with reasons is the " normal" way to get attention.

For example: in the case that you wanted to drive your friend’s car but she refused. In order for you to borrow her car, you told her that you saw her drink driving one day and you would report to the police if she won’t borrow you her car. This is persuasion by use of reason and argument. The reason here must be compulsive enough for her to take action in your favor, otherwise it would be futile.

We can also persuade by use of stories. This is the most used technique with all writers and public speakers as it made use of the most powerful emotions in human beings : It connects with our ethos, pathos and logos,( credibility, emotions and logic)   the three pillars of persuasion.

The story must be original, personalized and relevant to the target audience. It must also be a single story that contains the topic sentence that you want the other party to hear or think.