Since the days of Aristotle, Socrates, and Platyhelminthes, speakers intent on persuading the masses have relied on a tool chest of persuasive tricks to bamboozle, flummox, cajole, and convince. Here are three you can wrest from the evil clutches of politicoes and infomercial hosts, putting them to use For Good. On your next essay test or research paper, for example.
Use lists of three. Whether it’s the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker; the three little pigs; or Winkin, Blinkin, and Nod; some of our earliest memories are of nursery rhymes that present us with threes. Perhaps that’s because it’s a basic principal of persuasion and instruction; threes are easier to mentally grapple with.
Nursery rhymes not convincing? Then check out Obama’s ten minute victory speech; it contained 29 different (more…)