Argument, Analogy, and Audience: Using Persuasive Comparisons While Avoiding Unintended Effects

6 Pages Posted: 30 Jul 2010

See all articles by Bruce Ching

Bruce Ching

Valparaiso University Law School

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.

Suggested Citation

Ching, Bruce, Argument, Analogy, and Audience: Using Persuasive Comparisons While Avoiding Unintended Effects (Fall 2010). Journal of the Association of Legal Writing Directors, Vol. 7, 2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1650176

Bruce Ching (Contact Author)

Valparaiso University Law School ( email )

656 S. Greenwich St.
Valparaiso, IN 46383-6493
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
289
Abstract Views
2,284
Rank
192,349
PlumX Metrics