Final answer:
The question involves the potential negative impact of emotional appeals in oratory, suggesting that while emotions can powerfully affect the audience, they must be balanced with logical arguments to effectively support a position.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of conviction introducing emotion which becomes the enemy of oratory pertains to the idea that emotional appeals can undermine the effectiveness of speaking or argumentation. When you appeal to your audience's feelings, such as sympathy, anger, fear, insecurity, guilt, or conscience to support your position, you may be relying on pathos rather than logos—the emotional rather than logical appeal. Emotional appeals can indeed target a wide array of emotions, from fear to pity and from love and compassion to hate and aversion. However, it is often argued that appeals to emotion are not necessarily relevant for establishing a logical conclusion.
For instance, if an arguer appeals to our feelings of pity and compassion and to our positive feelings about a governor in arguing against dropping criminal charges, without addressing the content of the charges or the governor's guilt or innocence, they are not providing a logical basis for the decision. Their argument fails to address the relevant facts of the case. On the other hand, when a speaker or writer judiciously uses emotion, such as describing the fear of government workers and bystanders during a crisis, they can forge a connection with the audience and make a compelling case for their position. However, to maintain credibility and effectiveness in oratory, emotional appeals must be balanced with logical arguments and evidence.
Utilizing nonaggressive language and vivid descriptions to recreate images can be effective. Moreover, understanding the importance of kairos, or timeliness, is crucial. Delivering an emotionally charged oratory at the right moment can have a profound impact on the audience, as demonstrated by the profound speech at a convention that ignited a powerful emotional response against slavery. The ability to convey authenticity and invoke natural sympathy through the appropriate use of emotion is noted by Aristotle as he references poets and actors who become convincing through natural sympathy with the characters they represent. Ultimately, while logic and sermons may not convince, the deep-seated feelings evoked by a message can leave a lasting impression, but they should be used in conjunction with solid reasoning to be truly effective in oratory.