Speaking to Persuade

Addresses controversy as a constructive social phenomenon. By framing persuasion as a cooperative act that relies on dialectical interchange between speakers and listeners, it provides a roadmap for achieving productive civic engagement in democratic societies.

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Speaking to Persuade addresses controversy as a constructive social phenomenon. By framing persuasion as a cooperative act that relies on dialectical interchange between speakers and listeners, it provides a roadmap for achieving productive civic engagement in democratic societies.
This fourth edition once more translates theory into practice, first with its emphasis on invention and critical thinking to formulate ideas, and second by providing practice in the rhetorical canons, for example through


awakening vivid language and dependable memory for dynamic speech delivery
practice in reasoning and refuting arguments
structural options for organizing coherent and convincing messages,
navigating political polarization, balancing inclusive speech with freedom of speech, and stimulating rigorous evidence analysis, and
adapting basic persuasive principles to prominent persuasive genres: sales, legal summations, public advocacy, and social commentary.

The student package for Speaking to Persuade includes the KHQ independent study app, where students are able to customize self-check course review items (such as flash cards, quizzes, and study sections) through smart phones.
A full range of instructional resources are available (in editable MS Word, PowerPoint, and PDF) with both print and e-editions, including


A sample Syllabus
A full slate of course Assignments, reflecting text content, learning objectives, Chapter references, and grading rubrics
A list of video Speech Links for public speeches referenced throughout the text
Presentation Slides both to guide and practice impromptu speaking and to encourage Theory into Practice Exercises for use in classes and small groups.
A complete Chapter-by-Chapter Test Bank.

Although Speaking to Persuade serves as a textbook for the college persuasion course, it also functions as a self-help workbook for honing persuasive speech skills and as a speech-writing guide for professional speechwriters and their clients. Annotated sample speeches with online examples (most hyperlinked in the e-edition) demonstrate how others have practiced well the art of rhetoric in an array of contexts.