Informative and Persuasive Speeches - Assignment Example

Reflective Journal Part B Name Course Name and Code Date B2: What is the difference between an informative presentation and a persuasive one? Provide an example in your response? Informative speeches sometimes called informational speeches aims to provide general evidence, statistics, and facts (Burgoon, Guerrero, and Floyd, 2016). The important objective of informative speeches is concerned with the transmission of knowledge to the targeted audiences. Conversely, persuasive speeches are aimed at encouraging the audiences to take a specific viewpoint. In accomplishing this requirement, the presenter may utilize information (Petty and Cacioppo, 2012). In employing any of these strategies, it is important to know the audiences, what motivates the audiences, the core beliefs and knowledge qualification (Leathers and Eaves, 2015). Therefore, the purpose of persuasive speech is to induce appealing facts to make audiences understand or even to convince the audiences (Cesario and Higgins, 2008). A good example of an informative speech is lectures and schooling learning time e.g. informing on the cooking steps including ingredients while the persuasive speech is the speech targeting the audiences to take a preferred action e.g. encouraging audiences to stop smoking. B4: Search online for an informative speech or presentation that applies to business or industry. Indicate one part or aspect of the presentation that you thought was effective and one you would improve. Provide a link to the presentation in your entry. Daniels (2009) refers the Taken Movie, and she utilizes transactions and visual aid to explain the points. Utilization of this strategy is important because audiences can follow the story easy. However, the shortcomings include the clarity of some of the information because she talks about 40 million, but on the visual aid, it indicates 4 million. In addition, there no audiences which make easier for the presenter to present the informative speech. An aspect of persuasion also exists because she encourages people to stop or contribute towards stopping human trafficking. B7: Do you think the principle of consensus often works – are people often persuaded to buy things because other people own that item, or are going to buy it? Are you susceptible to this kind of persuasion? The consensus is premised on first person experience on product and services, and the communication is persuasive in nature (Perloff, 2010). People relies on the views of others in making decisions and influences consumer behavior. The principle of consensus often works when analyzed from a marketing perspective (Burgoon, Guerrero, and Floyd, 2016). The marketers usually seek the services of celebrities and important individuals in the society. These individuals talk about a product or service and encourage other consumers to purchase the products (Leathers and Eaves, 2015). The phenomenon is common in the reality shows and sporting events where some key people wear or use certain products and services, which influences the followers of such celebrities (Cesario and Higgins, 2008). People are often persuaded to buy things because of the influence of consensus and reasons associated with other individuals using or proposing to acquire the products and services (Petty and Cacioppo, 2012). I am sometimes vulnerable to such persuasion because it is associated with seeking for information on products or services (Burgoon, Guerrero, and Floyd, 2016). For example, consumer reviews can be seen as a persuasion because people who have used the products and services presents their personal views and experiences on products and services. Hence, the society is susceptible to consensus and influences from other people. B9: Which do you think is a more difficult challenge, discontinuance or deterrence? Why? Give some examples. Discontinuance is a strategy that a speaker undertakes and persuades the audience to stop a behavior such as smoking while deterrence is persuading audience not to start a behavior such as drunk driving (Cesario and Higgins, 2008). Deterrence is the better approach and can be associated with the common English saying prevention is better than cure (Burgoon, Guerrero, and Floyd, 2016). Deterrence is seen as prevention while discontinuance is curing. Deterrence is also important because it is sometimes difficult to change behavior. For example, different people faces challenges in stopping behaviors such as smoking because it creates addiction and related problems (Leathers and Eaves, 2015). It is easier to deter a behavior such as creating awareness on the risks of driving under the influence of drugs. It prevents negative behaviors been integrated into an individual day to day activities and employing discontinuance strategy may be late since the behavior may have created additional complications and problems (Leathers and Eaves, 2015). For instance, smoking has been associated with lung cancer, and when an individual is diagnosed with cancer, the individual is advised to stop smoking. During this period, the problem has occurred and hence the preference of deterrence. B11: Can persuasion be ethical? Why or why not? Persuasion is sometimes viewed as unethical because persuasion is equated to manipulation and it is a one-sided approach to communication (Cesario and Higgins, 2008). Communication should emphasize shared agreement, trust and cooperation but persuasion are sometimes viewed as one-sided. Persuasion within the framework of mutual respect and trust is ethical (Burgoon, Guerrero, and Floyd, 2016). It allows people disagreeing on an issue can discuss through a two-sided process. It results in a mutually satisfactory solutions to the disagreement. Persuasion is also effective in situations of equality in which each side is able to influence the persuasion process (Leathers and Eaves, 2015). However, if the communication process and the persuasion is one sided and lacks equality, persuasion becomes unethical. The ethical nature of persuasion depends on the context and content of the discussions and analysis, but when satisfactory agreements or solutions are achieved, the persuasion is ethical. B13: Find an example of an elevator speech online and review it. Post the link and a brief summary of strengths and weaknesses. Improvandy (2016) presents an HR professional who was able to improve the human retention at an engineering company after the company was faced with recruiting and retaining challenges. The HR Professional introduced innovative measures such as presenting speeches at engineering colleges and a get-together of engineers. These strategies improved the productivity by 60%. The strengths of an elevator speech are a reflection of the positive outcomes of the strategy implemented through reporting the previous problems, identification of strategies implemented and the outcome of strategies. The shortcoming is a lack of clarification of processes and strategies to support the human resource change. B14: Does it limit or enhance our understanding of communication to view nonverbal communication as that which is not verbal communication? Explain your answer. A common saying, a picture is worth a thousand words, is applicable to the current scenario (Burgoon, Guerrero, and Floyd, 2016). Nonverbal communication should not be viewed as not verbal communication because nonverbal communication is “automatic” in nature and it is easier to decode the nonverbal communication easily. For example, facial expressions and use of hands to communicate may indicate the areas requiring more importance (Leathers and Eaves, 2015). In fact, it is possible for an individual to get the direction of communication without even an individual communicating. Nonverbal communication strengthens the verbal communication through actions such as nodding, illustrating surprises and shock (Petty and Cacioppo, 2012). Therefore, nonverbal communication should be used to enhance other forms of communication. B16: To what degree is the time a relevant factor in communication in the information age? Give some examples. Time is an integral component in the information age because it determines the perception and reception of the message. Adhering to the requirements of time is important because it is a factor that shows a presenter honors and respects the audiences. Time management is also important because the message should be precise and the audiences should be ready to listen. If the audiences are tired or lose interest, it is better to stop the speech or communication (Leathers and Eaves, 2015). Balancing time allocation across the different points is also important since the audiences require equitable distribution of information across the points. For example, if a presenter has three points and is allocated 12 minutes, the presenter has to divide the time to address the points based on the requirements of the points (Burgoon, Guerrero, and Floyd, 2016). It is also important to acknowledge the importance of timely communication in the information age. The presence of platforms such as Social Media enables consumers to communicate and seek information from companies. The companies have to respond to these messages in a timely manner to prevent wrong information been distributed (Petty and Cacioppo, 2012). Consumers can also complaint easily meaning addressing the concerns in a timely strategy is appropriate. For example, a customer may complain about the poor quality of service and address the problem within the shortest time possible may create a positive image of the company. B17: What do you think are the assumptions (explicit and underlying) about nonverbal communication in the readings? Nonverbal communication is based on the ethos, themes and the general direction of the readings. It depends on the nature of the readings, the context of the reading and the scenes obtained from the reading (Burgoon, Guerrero, and Floyd, 2016). For example, reading a horror based story book is different from reading a human resource management book. There is an intriguing feeling associated with the storybook because of anticipation, and the aspect of anticipation can be achieved through internal brain processes. B20: When people don’t know what to do in a crisis situation, what happens? How can you address probably challenges before the crisis? Conflicts and misunderstandings occur. The crisis situation and lack of knowledge of addressing the problem make people employ group thinking and may worsen the situation. Injuries or more injuries can occur during the time because of lack of enough information in addressing the crisis (Leathers and Eaves, 2015). The effective solution to the crisis is the provision of information regarding the problem and how the problem can be avoided. Since some issues are unavoidable, the solution is informing the audiences on the mitigation measures (Cesario and Higgins, 2008). For example, using fires in the house should be done in a safe manner but instances of fire incidents, it is advisable to raise the alarm and leave the building (Petty and Cacioppo, 2012). These are examples of steps that can be used in fire crisis or crisis situation. Patience, perseverance, tolerance and effective communication should be incorporated into ensuring crisis situation is not worsened. B21: How important do you think self-disclosure is in business settings? Give some examples. Self-disclosure is an important tool in a business setting provided it is employed properly. Businesses are required to report their respective activities and impact to the environment including other financial matters (Leathers and Eaves, 2015). The aim of self-disclosure creates trust and highlights effective communication because shareholders and stakeholders continuously seek to access more information about the company. The current world situation is advancing environmental sustainable measures and companies are required to provide documentation (Burgoon, Guerrero, and Floyd, 2016). These companies have to analyze the available data and present the information to the public to query the effectiveness of sustainability measures. However, self-disclosure may result in incrimination affecting the business operations. It means the interests of the company and the public have to be weighed to determine the significance of self-disclosure (Petty and Cacioppo, 2012). However, government entities continue to pursue or enforce measures to encourage business to improve self-disclosure. Thus, the effectiveness of self-disclosure is important in appreciating the products and services a company offers. B23: Of the strategies for managing conflict described in this section, which do you think are the most effective? Why? Emotional control is the most preferable based on the alternatives available. Controlling the emotions through employing strategies such as not shouting, taking in a stern voice, and utilizing other strategies that can worsen the conflict should be avoided (Burgoon, Guerrero, and Floyd, 2016). If each of the persons involved in the conflict is able to manage their respective emotions, it is possible to query the problem and analyze alternative strategies to address the problem (Leathers and Eaves, 2015). Avoidance is also an alternative method but should not encourage because the problem is postponed to another time (Petty and Cacioppo, 2012). However, through avoidance, it is possible to postpone the issue to time in which the different stakeholders are comfortable to address the conflict. B24: Imagine that you are a manager in charge of approximately a dozen workers. Would you prefer to rely primarily on Theory X, Y, or Z as your management style? Why? Write a short essay defending your preference, giving some concrete examples of management decisions you would make. The preferred management style is Theory Z because it allows the different employees to meet in the middle. Theory X and Theory Y are at the extreme ends, and a middle point is preferred, and this can be achieved through embracing Theory Z. in an environment of a dozen employees, these employees have different ideologies and views regarding a subject matter (Burgoon, Guerrero, and Floyd, 2016). The differences may be associated with the expectations, diversity, experiences, and roles, and balancing these different requirements needs an informed individual who is able to bring them together, and the appropriate framework is Theory Z (Leathers and Eaves, 2015). Theory Z also allows the employees to capitalize on their perspective and team skills in advancing the requirements of the organization. Trust, excellence, participation, skills development, job rotation, and loyalty are all found in Theory Z. Therefore, Theory Z ensures the interests of different employees are considered and integrated into the management of the establishment. References Baylor, A.L. and Kim, S., 2009. Designing nonverbal communication for pedagogical agents: When less is more. Computers in Human Behavior, 25(2), pp.450-457. Burgoon, J.K., Guerrero, L.K. and Floyd, K., 2016. Nonverbal communication. Routledge. Cesario, J. and Higgins, E.T., 2008. Making message recipients “feel right” How nonverbal cues can increase persuasion. Psychological Science, 19(5), pp.415-420. Daniels, C. 2009. Informative Speech on Taken Movie. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20DkgguBxY4 [Accessed 4 October 2016] Improvandy. (2016). Sample Elevator Pitch for an HR Professional. Available at: http://improvandy.com/elevator-pitch/examples-of-a-30-second-elevator-pitch/#hrprofessional [Accessed 3 Oct. 2016] Leathers, D.G. and Eaves, M., 2015. Successful nonverbal communication: Principles and applications. Routledge. Perloff, R.M., 2010. The dynamics of persuasion: Communication and attitudes in the twenty-first century. Routledge. Petty, R. and Cacioppo, J.T., 2012. Communication and persuasion: Central and peripheral routes to attitude change. Springer Science & Business Media. Read More