Lets Review Our last theme was write like a technical
communicator SOwhatd we learn? Technical Style? Writing with a
purpose? Writing for an audience? Writing instructions?
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Thinking like a technical communicator This week well learn to
think like a technical communicator. This involves a few key
concepts: Thinking strategically and communicating persuasively
Conducting research and writing proposals Drafting prose elements
(intros and conclusions)
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What well cover today Short intro to Aristotelian rhetoric
Guidelines for persuasive thinking and communication Examples from
the web
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Rhetoric Write down the first thing that comes to mind when you
hear this word
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Why is thinking strategically and communicating persuasively so
important? Some communication is overtly persuasive, but all
communication should persuade Email? Text message? Instructions?
Proposal? Even when a communications primary goal isnt to persuade,
were always trying to convince our audience of something (attitudes
or actions, or both)
Now that we can identify appeals, lets get pragmatic 1.Reason
soundly 2.Listen and respond flexibly to what you hear 3.Focus on
your readers goals and values 4.Address your readers concerns and
counterarguments 5.Organize to create a favorable response 6.Build
an effective relationship with your readers 7.Persuade
ethically
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Reason Soundly Evidence The facts, observations, and other
evidence that support your claim Line of Reasoning The connection
linking your claim and evidence; the reason your readers should
agree that your evidence supports your claim Claim The position you
want your reader to accept
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Example- Reasoning Evidence Other universities have built new
student unions to build stronger community, retain undergraduates,
and provide a better experience for students. Line of Reasoning ???
Claim Building a new student union at UNT will be beneficial to the
university.
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A different example Evidence Survey of faculty attitudes
revealed positive support for a new union. Faculty cited the
updated union would provide more physical space to convene and
study. Line of Reasoning ??? Claim Building a new student union at
UNT will be beneficial to the students of the university.
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Crafting your line of reasoning Sometimes its self-evident If a
claim is: Renting the office space will generate $2400 a month
Evidence is: Below is a signed agreement to rent the office space
for $2400 a month Sometimes it requires explicit reasoning If a
claim is: Renting the office space will generate $2400 a month
Evidence is: The three buildings nearest to us rented between
$2200/month and $2600/month Line of reasoning: All three buildings
are extremely close in square footage and amenities. Therefore,
they are directly comparable to our building. Be careful not to
overgeneralize Women talk more than men All politicians are crooks
You may need to hedge or contextualize your line of reasoning You
may need to overcome objections using your line of reasoning
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Present Sufficient and Reliable Evidence Sufficient evidence
means providing all relevant details E.g., Credit card companies
should be to solicit on college campuses. Reliable evidence means
using evidence your reader will likely accept Empirical vs.
anecdotal evidence Data Expert testimony Examples
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Listen and respond flexibly to what you hear To be persuasive,
you must be a good listener You may have an idea, a good idea, but
your reader will never be persuaded if you dont present it to them
in the way they need or expect Be flexible in your engagements If
they expect or want a more humanistic approach, ditch the logos
appeal and move onto an ethos or pathos appeal
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Address your readers concerns and counterarguments Its easy to
focus on your own reasons and argument Its harder to anticipate
reader questions Research shows that its essential because readers
formulate opinions as they read
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Organize to create a favorable response Direct vs. Indirect
organization Direct begins with main point and then presents
evidence Indirect postpones the main point Use direct for favorable
response Use indirect for a possibly negative response
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Tight Communication is important Organization among key ideas
or sections in a document is essential for persuasion If a reader
has trouble making connections, they are going to have trouble
buying your argument
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Build an effective relationship with your readers Consider
credibility Expertise Trustworthiness Group membership Dynamic
appeal Power Present yourself as a friend Praise your readers
Present yourself as your readers partner Show that you understand
your reader Maintain a positive and helpful stance
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Lets watch 1.Identify claims, evidence, and line of reasoning
is used in this clip 2.What kinds of appeals does the speaker use?
(ethos, logos, pathos) 3.Does the speaker address counterarguments
adequately? Why or why not? 4.Does the speaker use a direct or
indirect approach? 5.How does the speaker establish credibility?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXBTY33fHqc