Mass Persuasion The Power of Public Speaking Essay

Mass Persuasion: The Power of Public Speaking One of the most basic forms of human communication, speech, is also one of the most complex and intriguing, both in and of itself and in its uniqueness as what many experts would say is the only solely human trait. Through thousands of years of existence, humans have developed and refined speech skills so as to be able to convey simple thoughts as well as deep emotions. While almost all humans are able to speak, some are naturally more gifted at speaking and are able to not only convey their own thoughts and feelings to others but are also able to impose their ideas and emotions on others so tactfully and decisively that the audience can be convinced of most anything. From Roman times to†¦show more content†¦Brutus is also able to apply logic to his argument when he talks of the oppression that would occur if Caesar were to remain in power and claims that the assassination was the only way to eradicate this problem. Through his use of ethos and logos, Brutus is able to sway the audience and gain full support of the public, but his argument which does not very well persuade emotionally will soon topple when the greater speaker, Marc Antony, takes the podium. Marc Antony is an awe-inspiring speaker, able to use all possible persuasion techniques. He speaks after Brutus at Caesar’s funeral, and because he is still loyal to Caesar, he is trying to persuade the audience to revolt against the conspirators who killed Caesar. To do this he utilizes not only ethos, pathos, and logos, but also a more advanced technique of reverse psychology. â€Å"I should do Brutus wrong and Cassius wrong, who you all know are honorable men. I will not do them wrong; I rather choose to wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you† (83), says Marc Antony as he uses reverse psychology to turn people against the conspirators as his first strategy of persuasion. His use of reverse psychology is ingenious in persuading the crowd, because basic human nature does not want freedoms to be restricted, so when Marc Antony places an idea on the crowd such as Brutus being honorable, the crowd immediately reacts to this restriction of their freedoms of opinion by th inkingShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Power Of Language1283 Words   |  6 Pages The Power of Language nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Of all possible human qualities, the one that wields the most power is the ability to use, understand and communicate effectively through language. A proficient use of language allows us to clearly communicate an exact idea from one person to another person or group of people. This precise science of being able to convey exactly what you want equates to the acquisition of power. An important link between language and power is persuasionRead MoreThe Power of Language1300 Words   |  6 PagesThe Power of Language Bob Jones 11-19-96 period 3 Mrs. Fox Of all possible human qualities, the one that wields the most power is the ability to use, understand and communicate effectively through language. A proficient use of language allows us to clearly communicate an exact idea from one person to another person or group of people. This precise science of being able to convey exactly what you want equates to the acquisition of power. An important link betweenRead More Language and Perception Essay examples699 Words   |  3 Pagescan lead to persuasion. The power of persuasion allows individuals to influence and control people (Dictionary.com, 2005). This tactic of persuasion can also be referred to as propaganda, which increases power by spreading information for the purpose of promoting some cause (Dictionary.com, 2005). The propagandist informs, usually through public speaking or mass media, hoping to persuade the audience to embrace their point of view. With the support of the audience, the speaker gains power. ThroughRead MoreComm 4331 Essays962 Words   |  4 Pagesbeliefs, attitudes, behaviors and values 2. What is correct and true about persuasion Receiver must think it is voluntary, 3. Define persuasion Persuasion: involves one or more persons who are engaged in the activity of creating, reinforcing, modifying, or extinguishing, beliefs, attitudes, intentions, motivation, and or behaviors within the constraints of a given communication context -- an activity or process, persuasion is a tow way street 4. Define values: Something important to you 5.Read MoreThe National Mass News Media911 Words   |  4 Pages1. The national mass news media, including broadcast networks and newspapers, are increasingly unable to fulfill their traditional roles as government watchdogs because neither broadcast networks nor newspapers have as great as a reach. Before cable and the Internet, the president reached the national public through national media, which desired to appeal to audiences covering the partisan divide. The major media outlets controlled the flow of news from Washington and the president’s access to whatRead MoreMax Webers Iron Cage For Bureaucracy1521 Words   |  7 Pagesbureaucracy can operate with his or her power to benefit only a certain group of elites (Morgan, 2006). A charismatic leader has the talent through formal authority to drive their members into performing. According to Morgan (2006), proclaimed, â€Å"a hero figure may acquire immense charismatic power that allows that person to control and direct others as he or she wishes† (p. 168). Abraham Lincoln is example of a charismatic leader during his time in office while speaking to troops or from the gatheringRead MoreEssay on The Genocides of the 20th Century1517 Words   |  7 Pagesstop the killings, and how the people were thought of as less than humans to provide a just cause for such terrible acts. In both cases of genocide, the killings were done as a way to ‘cleanse’ the population; they both resulted from a political power rising up and wishing to kill off any impurities or competition. In Rwanda, the Hutus wished to eradicate the rival tribe, the Tutsis, and take back their home. Political tension had existed between the Tutsis and Hutus for years, as the more powerfulRead MoreTrudeaumania: Role Culture Plays in Achieving Political Power1271 Words   |  6 Pagesthings like just watch me and fuddle duddle. He couldnt go out in public without being mobbed by vivacious crowds. We wanted his autograph and to have our photos taken next to him. He held celebrity status. He arguably ignited the most national pride and political interest our country has ever felt. He was Pierre Elliott Trudeau, the 15th Prime Minister of Canada. It was Trudeaumania. This connection between culture and power was clearly exemplified more recently during the 2008 United StatesRead More Stereotypes in the American Media Essay1361 Words   |  6 PagesPropaganda is an effective device that is used to influence and manipulate human behavior by appealing to emotions. When propaganda is combined with stereotypes, it usually produces negative results. A simplified view of a group of people, spread by mass communication can cause people to be more narrow-minded and can alter their perspective. Living in the Information Age, people are exposed to a constant stream of ideas and images. These ideas can reflect the views of those with a hidden agenda. TheyRead MoreThe Radical And The Republican Essay960 Words   |  4 Pagesdisaster.Overtime Lincoln began to believe that slavery corrupted the American experiment and that it must be done away with. Frederick Douglass had a public change of presenting antislavery politics. Overtime Douglass, a Garrisonian abolitionist, neglected the politics that had to do with the criticism of the constitution and moral persuasion after he realized that the rejection of the constitution and northern secession would leave. According to Oakes, it was the Mexican War that reawakened