For me to persuade someone, I need to be very clear of what I want and how badly I need to get it. I believe the best foundation for any good arguement is based on reason. Logos sets out all the facts that are relevant for the arguement. With the facts out on the table, the power of reason starts to set in. What kind of reasoning will I use? Who am I reasoning with? By keeping in mind who I am reasoning with, the list of facts I present are crucial. The direct approach for me is clear cut and to the point. It seems logical it is hard to argue with the facts. .
Statistical facts prove to be effective forms of persuasion. Examples of this are noted in our class discussions. Both Kristi and Chris were persuaded by statistics. For them, this was an effective form of advertisement by persuasion. Again, how do you argue with facts? Although factual statistics do not catch my eye, I am persuaded by reason. .
Advertisers have mastered persuasion. I was persuaded by reason to buy floor products that would make cleaning easier. This advertisement appealed to my sense of reason because it made perfect sense. Yet for another floor ad, an outrageous example of flooring type in contrast to quality time with my kids was a complete turn off. This fallacy didn't work because of its absurdity. In fact, it was almost insulting! Am I not intelligent enough to see through such a falsehood? It was the passing off of this untruth as fact that was unappealing. .
However, as a well rounded person, I can also be persuaded by more than just facts and reason. Although fallacies passed off as truth do not work with me, humor to the extreme is quite different. There is a commercial with a dog at a computer finding insurance rates. Totally ridiculous, but extreme enough that of course it can't really happen. It's just really funny. He got his masters attention. No one in the buying public was misled to believe that it really happened that way.
