Final answer:
Success in persuasion is often determined by an analysis of the evidence's persuasiveness, the author's purpose and persuasiveness of their text, and the effectiveness of the author's assumptions about the subject or audience. Crafting a strong thesis statement and considering the central route of persuasion, which relies on logic and data, are also crucial to changing attitudes lastingly.
Step-by-step explanation:
The key question that often determines whether you succeed in persuasion is related to analyzing various elements of the author's writing style and content. These include whether the first reading of the evidence is persuasive, the logic and credibility of the author's position, and whether the author has omitted any relevant points. This scrutiny helps decide if the writer's conclusions are acceptable.
The purpose of the author's text is also paramount in understanding the aim of the persuasive text. Is the intent to persuade, inform, entertain, describe, or explain? And consequently, what does the author expect from the audience?
Initial impressions, such as those gained from a quick perusal of the introduction or first chapter, can reveal the writer's assumptions about the subject or audience. This relates to the Yale attitude change approach, which suggests that the source, content, and audience characteristics significantly affect persuasion.
When crafting a thesis statement, one should focus on the opinion of how successfully the author has persuaded the audience, taking into account the use of rhetorical strategies. Understanding the purpose of the analysis—whether to describe, reflect, analyze, or evaluate (persuade)—plays a critical role in determining the effectiveness of the argument.
Lastly, the durability and impact of persuasion can be linked to whether the argument follows the central route, which is logic-driven, or an alternative route that might employ different persuasive tactics. The central route relies on strong, factual data and if done successfully, leads to a durable change in attitudes.