Portfolio Introduction
Scene: Two college students sitting on the pavement near the school hallway. Looking from a distance, it appears as if they are friends or know each other are they share the same class and sometimes are in the same classwork groups. They are having an in-depth conversation on the aspects of persuasion.
Voice 1: Hello, how are you doing today?
Voice 2: I am much fine, thank you.
Voice 1: May we talk about persuasion? What do you think?
Voice 2: It is an interesting topic, and I do not mind sharing my views.
Voice 1: We have learned a lot this quarter on some aspects of persuasion, I believe that they help the readers remain focused on the idea that the writer is communicating. I understand that there are various types of evidence and the three types of appeals that a writer can use to persuade the audience.
Voice 2: That is according to what we have learned so far, and I also understand that at least all persuasive writers use at least one or two of the appeals to emphasize on the specific topic of discussion hence convincing the readers. However, I would disagree with the theory and as I also have different thoughts.
Voice 1: The various types of evidence used in persuasion include expert commentary in which many people tend to believe that the opinion of expert specific situations is always the best. The ethos which is an appeal to credibility and specifically the opinion of an expert to support an idea also offers evidence to a specific topic thus convincing the readers. For example, Carol Christ, UC Berkeley’s chancellor mentioned that the schools provide California students with quality education and that having a diverse student is an excellent opportunity for the student as they can gain global fluency and to move across the national borders (Wong, 2018). Therefore, from her view, it is essential that America’s Universities to continue taking international students.
Voice 2: In as much as the opinion of an expert matters, I believe that sometimes it is best to allow a person to make their own informed decisions without the interference of a third party. For instance, the experience of another person may have had other contributing factors other than the one discussed to convince other readers. It will, therefore, be pointless to make a decision based on the opinion of a person with a particular experience. Furthermore, sometimes even the most competent doctors make mistakes hence a healthcare institution will not implement a specific change within the hospital consulting further. They must find out the correct action they need to take to improve health care quality and safety while at the same time minimizing administrative costs. I, therefore, believe that ethos or expert commentary is not sufficient evidence to make the final decision.
Voice 1: Another type of evidence is the use of statistics which is also incorporated appeal logos. Logos provide facts that one cannot change. For example, the information from UC Berkeley on the new applications (85,000) and the number of students as well as the percentage of the students offered the admission (4,500) are not from the United States (Wong, 2018). This evidence indicates that even though many students apply, only a small percentage of international students get admission hence, it will not be a bad decision to let the universities to accept the students and let them have the quality education offered in the University of California.
Voice 2: Could there be the possibility that sometimes the numbers may not represent the real situation? The statistical evidence may not be the actual numbers as they are estimated figures somehow chosen to represent the documented figures to enhance the reputation of a specific institution. Moreover, there is the possibility for the manipulation of numbers hence a writer should not simply indicate the numbers but carefully interpret show how it connects to the written ideas.
Voice 1: Now that you have different opinions on expert commentary and statistical evidence, another type of evidence is anecdote it combines well with a pathos which is an emotional appeal to convince readers based on the portrayed emotions in writing. The experience of an individual or a group of people on a specific matter can be effective in convincing the readers. For example, students lamented on the limited hours that the office opens and recommended for online assistance that they can access with convenience (Deruy, 2016). This information shows that the students are not satisfied with the career guidelines and they not only waste their time visiting the office but also suffer emotionally as they become stressed due to constant confusion. When writers choose to include such evidence in their work, they connect emotionally with the readers and make the work interesting.
Voice 2: Even though you have mentioned that a person has similar ad experience can provide significant evidence to the readers and persuade them on the topic, I still believe that using emotions to drive a point may not work in certain circumstances. A writer cannot just choose to use anecdotes; it requires careful examination lest it becomes a story that other readers do not connect. One person's experience cannot also be the determinant of other people’s fate since they have different circumstances. For example, when a writer decides to present a picture of an addicted smoker who died from lung cancer, it does not mean that it is entirely smoking that contributed to the death of such a person. Many addicts go on smoking for long periods before they quit smoking, but once they quit and go through rehabilitation, they go back to their normal health. Also, there are a significant number of people who die as a result of cancer yet they are not smokers. Therefore, I can conclude that smoking does not necessarily lead to cancer hence anecdotes are not sufficient evidence.
Voice 1: what would you say of the type of evidence which is the comparison? I hope we shall agree on this one (Gives a slight laugh).
Voice 2: (Laughs too). It depends on how I will view our argument coupled up with the class readings. However, I am still free to point out my opinion right? (Continue laughing then gives a cue to voice 1 to go on with the conversation).
Voice 1: Using comparison as evidence entails using something that the readers can understand to help them in making connections and relating to a particular study. It works with using pathos appeal as the writer can effectively incorporate specific emotion in writing to connect to the reader’s feelings. The picture presented shows many students leaving the gate of the university (Wong, 2018). This situation may compare to the similar situation in another university thus convince the readers who are against allowing international students to enroll in the U.S universities that that is the kind of situation they should expect. It gives a perfect understanding to ideas that the readers could not previously understand as the writer uses common practice that the readers identify hence connects faster.
Voice 2: It is interesting how you mention that comparison enables the readers to connect to a specific topic. However, have you considered that it is possible for anyone to make the comparison? A writer may choose to provide evidence to create emotions to the readers and to convince them to agree with the topic. It is thus important for a person to access the credibility of the information as it should have facts in it.
Voice 1: In as much as from your arguments you seem to oppose everything, I want you to understand that for one to become a competent writer, they need to use the types of evidence presented above and incorporate the at least one of the three appeals to create an impact on their readers. It will facilitate the need to convince them, but it is upon an individual to make the final decision on how they choose to use the information.
Voice 2: That is perfect, I am glad that you have expressed your opinion too, and I can say that using the types of evidence as mentioned above is not a bad idea, but I would also recommend that writers should determine the credibility of the evidence be it from any source before using them in their writing.