Recruit the Student: Adapting Persuasion to Audiences

Persuasive speeches are a common assignment in numerous public speaking and hybrid communication classes. One theme of persuasion is that the persuasive message should be tailored to the intended receiver. Not only do effective rhetors adapt to the circumstances in which they find themselves, but persuasive efforts are much more likely to be successful if they take into account the beliefs, attitudes, and values of the persuadee. This "receiver-oriented approach" to persuasion is one way in which students are provided with the opportunity to practice audience analysis and to create receiver-oriented persuasive strategies. A list of references and suggested readings is included.