Question

In designing a persuasive speech, is it more effective to employ only one persuasive technique or all three to a general audience? Explain your reasoning.

Answer 1

Answer with Explanation:

I believe employing only one technique is the best way because every technique has its own purpose. For example, if you want to touch the emotions of your audience by persuading them to join a strike or movement for a cause, then you have to connect with them on a personal level. This means you have to use "pathos" or the "emotional appeal." You don't need to do this technique if you are trying to introduce a particular product. For example, you want your audience to buy your medicine, you have to provide relevant evidence to support the credibility of what you are talking about. This is what you call "ethos" or "ethical appeal."

Using all techniques in one would make it confusing for the audience because the speech will sound divided. It would largely depend on the kind of speaker you are and which type of persuasion technique you're good at and the type of audience you have.