Claim: In any situation, the best way to persuade other people is to present them with facts and statistics rather than with emotional arguments. Reason: Facts are objective, so they are more persuasive than subjective appeals.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim and the reason on which that claim is based.

The speaker claims that facts are always more persuasive than emotional appeals, so presenting people with facts is the best way to persuade them. This statement is simplistic and overlooks the fact that people respond to both facts and feelings. Rhetoricians and authors have been aware of the many ways in which emotional appeals are used to persuade audiences since ancient times. Therefore, it is more valid to assert that in persuading people, emotional appeals can be effective

However, this does not mean that facts are not important. On the contrary, facts offer a level of objectivity that appeals to many people and makes them more convincing. For example, when presented with facts, people are less inclined to question the truthfulness of a speaker. If a person’s opinions are based on facts, they are more likely to accept them, even if they are not initially appealing. Facts can dispel fears and doubts, allowing people to accept the message and move forward. In using facts, a person can appeal to someone’s sense of logic and prove his or her point. For example, facts can be used to persuade someone to adopt a healthier diet, exercise more, or quit smoking. The American Heart Association (AHA) is well known for using statistics about heart disease as a means of persuading people to change unhealthy habits. The AHA has put together videos that are short and to the point, and they present facts in a way that people can understand. If a person sees statistics that illustrate that he or she is more likely to die if he or she continues to smoke, he or she is more likely to quit

The fact that statistics are easy to dismiss as fabricated and manipulative is another weakness of using facts. Many people believe that statistics can be twisted to support just about any position. For instance, statistics are often used by politicians to sway the voting public. For example, when George W. Bush was campaigning for the presidency, he frequently cited the statistic that 9/11 had cost the American economy $700 billion

In short, both facts and emotions are important in persuading people. When presenting the facts, it is important to present them clearly and objectively. Emotional appeals can be effective, but they must be carefully chosen and presented in a style that appeals to the target audience.

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