Practical Principles of Persuasion: A Workbook by Kathryn Sue Young
233 pages, $36.95 list
1-4786-4759-0
978-1-4786-4759-1
eBook availability
Practical Principles of Persuasion
A Workbook
How do you convince someone to agree with you? What persuasive elements are required to elicit compliance? This interactive, accessible approach looks at principles of persuasion as they apply to everyday lives. Framing persuasion from an intrapersonal and interpersonal perspective captures reader interest and makes the subtlety of social influence understandable.

The importance of building and maintaining personal credibility is reinforced throughout the text. Ethical issues are raised as persuasive strategies are discussed. Clear, practical suggestions for effective persuasion are presented in an engaging fashion and encourage the application of meaningful insights for stronger interpersonal relationships. Learning the skills that motivate people to change behavior vastly improves the reader’s ability to persuade others effectively. The discussion also facilitates critical thinking for recipients of persuasive messages.

Practical Principles of Persuasion is ideal for classroom or online learning because of its concise lessons and interactive approach. The workbook provides a solid foundation for the key concepts and practices of persuasive communication.
Table of Contents
Getting Started
1. Why Do We Need to Learn about Persuasion?
2. The Communication Model
3. Defining Persuasion
4. Characteristics of Persuasion
5. Contexts of Persuasion

Preparing for Persuasion
6. The Three Building Blocks of Persuasion
7. Self-Analysis
8. Reasonable Goals
9. Types of Persuasive Messages
10. Analyzing the Receiver

Building Block #1: Credibility
11. Basics of Credibility
12. Personal and Speaker Credibility
13. Source Credibility
14. Personal Responsibility

Building Block #2: Logic
15. Claims and Purpose Statements
16. Types of Evidence
17. Organizational Patterns
18. Reasoned Argument
19. Fallacies of Reasoning

Building Block #3: Emotional Appeal
20. Emotional Appeal
21. Types of Emotions

Strengthening Your Message
22. Language Basics
23. Rhetorical Sensitivity
24. Language and Communication Choices
25. Nonverbal Basics
26. Personal Nonverbal Choices
27. Written Nonverbal Choices

Persuading Ourselves
28. Intrapersonal Persuasion Basics
29. Intrapersonal Persuasion Choices
30. Attitudes and Psychological Consistency
31. An Analysis of Intrapersonal Persuasion

Persuading Others
32. Compliance Gaining
33. Power Bases
34. Compliance Gaining in the Classroom and Beyond
35. Sequential and Other Persuasion Strategies
36. Deception

Wrapping Up
37. Documentary Analysis
38. Persuasion Review Quiz