Final answer:
Effective persuasion combines pathos, which appeals to audience emotions, and logos, which relies on logical arguments and credible evidence. Through a well-structured position argument that uses trusted sources and sound reasoning, one can encourage and convince others to trust and accept their point of view.
Step-by-step explanation:
The power of persuasion is an essential skill in communication, particularly when presenting a position argument. A vital aspect of persuasive communication is to appeal to your audience's feelings, such as sympathy or anger, in order to bolster your position. These appeals are known as pathos, or the emotional appeal, and are foundational to persuading others either through writing or speaking. By engaging the audience's emotions, you create a connection that can lead to trust and can ultimately encourage and convince others of your viewpoint.
To effectively present a position argument and demonstrate critical thinking, it is necessary to structure your argument logically, guiding your readers through a thought process that adds strength and credibility to your ideas. This includes using reliable and credible sources, such as academic or government publications, to support your thesis. Presenting information in a way that is clear and free from bias will help in establishing your credibility and in turning the audience in favor of your point of view.
In addition to pathos, successful persuasive communication also involves the use of logos, or logical appeal, which relies on rational arguments and credible evidence. Logical appeal requires you to state your position clearly and support it with sound reasoning. By appealing to the audience's logic, you supplement the emotional connection with intellectual validation, creating a more robust and convincing position argument.