Did anyone else's Dashboard explode into a Wonkafied color-tastic display?
It's really easy for the speaker of a persuasive speech to only supply the facts and evidence that support their claims. As persuasive speakers, we have a responsibility to provide a wide range of information to the audience to allow them to decide for themselves. Persuasive speakers provide their audience with all of the evidence, not just the evidence that supports their claims.
One must also represent research for what it is, and not what the speaker would like it to mean. Personal or professional bias shouldn't necessarily come into play, even though you should clearly be advocating your point. I see this a lot in the media. particular with nutrition research. There was one study that came out not too long ago about red meat consumption, and once the media got a hold of it, they did the typical "Red Meat Will kill You!' spin. The media didn't bother to take into consideration the fact that the percentage of participants who consumed red meat also had a higher tendency to smoke and not engage in physical activity. Additionally, sedentary smokers often have a crappier diet than people with an active lifestyle. So while a correlation between red meat and mortality was made, none of the evidence was taken into consideration before these claims were made. Super frustrating, and a great example of the media attempting to manipulate the public.
Manipulation also come in the form of an abusive of power. I liked the books example of a doctor overstating dire health consequences for an uncooperative patient. Also, I happen to be reading The Devil Wears Prada, ( I just finished the A Dance With Dragons, the fifth Game of Thrones/Song of Ice and Fire Book, and I needed something light after the whole epic fantasy thing...) and it is a perfect example of a manipulative boos with her assistants wrapped tightly around her pinkie finger through the threat of her displeasure. It's a great light read, I'd recommend it.
Persuasive speeches are just like persuasive essays. Clearly represent the pros and cons of the the topic, and leave out personal bias while advocating one position or another.
Hello,
ReplyDeletePersuasive speeches or any kind of persuasive communication can feel like manipulation. I remember last year I was invited to my friends church to listen to a speaker talk specifically to women about your dreams and self-worth. Within the first fifteen minutes, I was convienced this speaker had a hidden agenda. I got the impression she just liked hearing herself speak. Long story short, I'm really not sure what she was trying to say to the audience. All I know is that I felt she was not credible, was paid generously for speaking as approximately 500 women showed up, and she asked women to come up if they needed to be "healed and freed" from emotional pain. It was the weirded speech I've ever hear, and I felt the speaker was a scam-artist. When listening to a persuasive speech, you must follow your gut feeling and use your brain, and not get caught up in the emotional side.
Yes mind did as well, this was Google's subtle attempt to get you to use their new look. Maybe we are talking about two different "wonkafied" episodes, however if we are talking about the same incident just go over to the little sprocket thing on the top right hand side, or that's where it should be, and change it to original look or older look, but it should go back to normal. I am not sure why they are pushing the new look so hard it look horrible and confusing, but anyways to my comment! I really liked your quote at the end of your article. I think it really sums up your idea very nicely. In a lot of the debates in the so called news there is a very large amount of "personal" bias and when I mean personal I mean corporate interests. This is obviously not a good model to follow if we want to produce excellent persuasive speeches for our class.
ReplyDeleteI think The Devil Wears Prada is a great example of an abuse of power. I haven't read the book and am going completely off of the movie but I imagine they are basically the same. I also agree that the media tends to put such a spin on a story that it borders on untrue. The news tends to be very one sided when it comes to a big story. To me, this is an abuse of power. They are supposed to be neutral and tell the truth but a lot of times they don't. It's a lack of responsibility. I would prefer a less 'juicy story' if it were the truth.
ReplyDeleteI believe in most media today, that their persuasions are very biased. It's always one company trying to persuade you to buy their product over the competitor. And don't get me wrong, I understand that in todays world, everyone is trying to make a dollar. Look at magazines. Perfect example of how they are using flashy news topics in order to sell their magazines, even though most of what is written comes from unreliable souces, or are just outright lies. Another large persuasive industry is in anti-aging products. So many people spend tons of money on ointment and creams to help make "fine lines and wrinkles disappear." But the hards facts are, even if it helps a little, your body is still aging, and those lines are going to happen weather you like it or not. But these commercials and magazine articles are so believable, and make it sound like your whole life will change with the purchase of this product.
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