As a child, I worshipped the invincible heroes in movies who got whatever they wanted, and I aspired to be like them. Although in real life, their clever and well thought out schemes would not be easy to implement or even devise, simply presenting an effective argument may be enough to manipulate an audience. To do so, the author must consider maintaining a connection with the audience, who may potentially disapprove of the argument or even find it offensive. To begin an argument, one can use a humble and frank tone towards the audience to state his purpose. He should take care not to use extreme or harsh diction or immediately present radical ideas. Authors presenting startling arguments against popular views may benefit from this strategy
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Authors use rhetorical tools to do so effectively. Parallel structure is useful for listing complaints so that the list seems endless. When using this technique, one should provide multifarious examples, with each phrase following a pattern. Jefferson puts the King on a side against the people by describing that “He has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. [….] He has kept among us in times of peace standing armies without the consent of our legislatures” (Jefferson 971). Similarly, King explains that “when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers […] at whim; […] when you are forever fighting a degenerating sense of ‘nobodiness’ – then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait” (King 176). A similar effect of pointing out the fundamental wrongs of the opposing argument can be achieved using apophasis. Authors using this technique add that they should not even need to argue against their opponent. Douglass declares that “[he has] better employments for [his] time and strength, than” arguing “that a system thus marked with blood, and stained with pollution, is wrong” (Douglass 1888). Breaking down the opponent’s argument allows one to find basic flaws or contradictions that may help criticize the opponent and devalue his credibility. When presenting these findings, the author should emphasize his opponent’s
Authors use rhetorical tools to do so effectively. Parallel structure is useful for listing complaints so that the list seems endless. When using this technique, one should provide multifarious examples, with each phrase following a pattern. Jefferson puts the King on a side against the people by describing that “He has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. [….] He has kept among us in times of peace standing armies without the consent of our legislatures” (Jefferson 971). Similarly, King explains that “when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers […] at whim; […] when you are forever fighting a degenerating sense of ‘nobodiness’ – then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait” (King 176). A similar effect of pointing out the fundamental wrongs of the opposing argument can be achieved using apophasis. Authors using this technique add that they should not even need to argue against their opponent. Douglass declares that “[he has] better employments for [his] time and strength, than” arguing “that a system thus marked with blood, and stained with pollution, is wrong” (Douglass 1888). Breaking down the opponent’s argument allows one to find basic flaws or contradictions that may help criticize the opponent and devalue his credibility. When presenting these findings, the author should emphasize his opponent’s