Audience, Counter-Arguments,& Rebuttals

AUDIENCE, COUNTER-ARGUMENTS, & REBUTTALS ● What is an audience? ○ In persuasion, your audience is the person or group you are trying to persuade. ■ The more specifically you can define your audience, the more specifically you can tailor your arguments. ○ A younger audience is more likely to be persuaded by emotional arguments. An older audience is more likely to be persuaded by logical and ethical arguments. ● Counter-Argument ○ As a prefix, “Counter” means “Against.” ■ A counter-argument is a reason someone might disagree with your position. It’s a reason that goes AGAINST your side, something the opposition will say to convince the audience that you are wrong. ○ Anti-Core Arguments: If people listen to the other side of you, how will they ■ LOSE money? ■ LOSE time? ■ How will it HURT society? ■ HURT the environment? ■ Make people SAD? ■ Make people UNHEALTHY? ■ Make people DUMBER? ■ Make people UNSAFE? ● Rebuttal ○ A rebuttal is a counter-counter-argument - a reason why the counter-argument is wrong. ○ Your RESPONSE to the opponent’s counter-argument. ■ Usually, the pattern is: ● “Those who oppose my idea might say [counter-argument]. However, what they don’t understand is that this is incorrect because [rebuttal]. ● Counter-Arg & Rebuttal - Why it matters ○ Stating a counter-argument shows you have thought about the other side’s position, which makes you seem thoughtful and reasonable. ■ If you can rebut the opposition, the audience is more likely to be on your side. ■ Having a well-planned rebuttal shows the other side hasn’t considered everything, but you have.