Argument, Analogy, and Audience: Using Persuasive Comparisons While Avoiding Unintended Effects
6 Pages Posted: 30 Jul 2010
Date Written: Fall 2010
Abstract
Like other rhetoricians, lawyers address their statements to particular audiences, and they shape their arguments in light of the characteristics of those audiences. In addressing skeptical audiences, lawyers will find that narratives structured as stories tend to be more persuasive than more syllogistic forms of verbal reasoning. In contrast to the straightforward lines of logical reasoning in syllogisms, narratives persuade by providing vicarious experiences for their audiences.
Drawing an analogy between the client’s situation and a familiar story can be a particularly persuasive use of narrative. A well-chosen analogy accomplishes much of the work of persuasion for the advocate, because the analogy implicitly provides background information that the advocate does not have to spend time explaining. An effective analogy compares the current situation with another situation that is familiar, that has some emotional resonance, and that is free of unintended associations.
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