Longman / Prentice Hall

English

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The Elements of Persuasion
William A. Covino, Florida Atlantic University

ISBN-10: 0205196616
ISBN-13: 9780205196616

Publisher: Longman
Copyright: 1998
Format: Paper; 165 pp
Published: 07/09/1997

Suggested retail price: $32.00
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Ninth in the “Elements of Composition”series, The Elements of Persuasion is a brief and inexpensive alternative to longer, “standard” texts. The book provides students with a concise introduction to major theories of persuasion; analysis of political, cultural, and literary events that represent the significance and scope of persuasion; and a range of questions and exercises to develop critical reading and writing skills.

An introductory chapter offers a general overview of persuasion, illustrating the contributions of Aristotle's Rhetoric, J.L. Austin's speech act theory, and Kenneth Burke's dramatism with current examples from political oratory, advertising, and hypothetical situations, as well as extensive analysis of the “dramatism” of the O.J. Simpson trial. With this foundation, students are then able to begin their own analysis of persuasion in public discourse and to assess the elements of persuasion in their own writing.

  • A concise, authoritative, and inexpensive introduction to persuasion that is useful as a core text or as a supplement.
  • Provides engaging contemporary case studies in nonacademic contexts so that students can examine the ways in which persuasion is affected by belief, desire, class, gender, and race. Persuasive events discussed include Spike Lee's Do The Right Thing, the 1996 Super Bowl, the full 1996 State of the Union Address, the 1925 Scopes trial, Jane Austen's Persuasion, and the O.J. Simpson trial.
  • End-of-chapter “Questions to Ask Yourself” review the chapter and invite students to apply concepts to other texts as well as to everyday persuasive experiences and events.
  • End-of-chapter writing exercises provide engaging topics for student papers.
  • “Persuasive Strategies for Student Writers” offer suggestions and exercises that writing groups and individuals can use to analyze their own writing-in-progress.
  • A glossary defines major theoretical terms and provides additional examples.

All chapters include “Chapter Summary,” “Questions to Ask Yourself About This Chapter,” “Writing Exercise,” and “Persuasive Strategies for Student Writers.”

1.Grammars of Persuasion.

Aristotle's Rhetoric.

Saying Makes It So? Speech Acts and Persuasion.

Kenneth Burke's Dramatism.

Preview of the Following Chapters.



2.Persuasion in the Courtroom: The 1925 Scopes Trial.

A “Duel to the Death”: Background and Significance of the Scopes Trial.

Aristotelian Persuasion in Court.

Speech Acts: Intentions and Interpretations.

The Dramatistic Bible.



3.Neighborhood Persuasions: Jane Austen and Spike Lee

Jane Austen's Persuasion.

Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing.



4.Selling in the Superbowl.

To Please: The Pathos of the Halftime Show.

To Move: Commercials and Kairos.

To Teach: The Ethos of Graphic Information.



5.Persuasion in the Political Scene: The State of the Union Address.

Text of the 1996 State of the Union Address.

Review of the Address.



Glossary.


Index.

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