CHAPTER V.

OF SPECIFIC ACTS OF PERSUASION.

§ 231. WHILE the term Persuasion is applied in its more general import to all those kinds of discourse the object of which is to move the will, in its narrower sense it is distinguished from both Dissuasion and Incitement.

As thus distinguished, PERSUASION, in its more restricted sense, will regard the production of a new purpose or act ;

DISSUASION, the removal of a purpose or act already determined upon;

INCITEMENT, Confirmation of a purpose or course already adopted.

§ 232. Although these several acts of persuasion are effected by the general processes mentioned, of exhibition of the act or course to be adopted and the presentation of suitable motives, yet these processes will be considerably modified in reference to these several more specific ends.

CHAPTER VI.

OF ARRANGEMENT IN PERSUASION.

§ 233. THE principles of arrangement in persuasion will vary according as the motives or the action proposed is made the leading principle in the development of the discourse.

It is obvious that a speaker in persuasion may make the action to which he wishes to incite his hearers the proper germ of development in his discourse, which he may exhibit either in its various parts or its relations. In this case, the arrangement will be for the most part conformed to the principles of explanatory arrangement. The action will be exhibited in its parts, and the motives applied to each in succession.

On the other hand, it may be better in some cases, and perhaps generally, to make the motives the principle of development and arrangement. When this is done, the rules stated in the following sections are to guide.

§ 234. In the presentation of motives in persuasive discourse, three things are to be regarded:

First, the specific object of the discourse, whether persuasion in its strict sense, dissuasion, or incitement; Secondly, the comparative strength of the motives estimated in reference to the mind addressed;

Thirdly, the relation of the motives to one another. § 235. If the specific object of the discourse be persuasion proper, it is evident that those motives which

lie in conceptions and convictions of the intellect should precede; and when the understanding is properly enlightened and convinced, the way will be open for the addresses to the feelings. In case the action proposed is embraced within the general course or purpose already adopted by the mind addressed, it will often at the outset be sufficient to prove this. If, however, it be an act repulsive in itself, although conducive to a chosen end, it will be advisable to animate that general purpose in reference to this specific application of it at the close, in order to give it efficiency in the direction desired.

In persuasion proper, moreover, the stronger motives should be presented first.

§ 236. On similar grounds, the same rules of arrangement are to be observed in Dissuasion as in Persuasion proper.

In this case, more caution is necessary, as, instead of indifference merely, direct opposition is to be encountered.

§ 237. In Incitement, the weaker motives should generally be presented first, and the discourse be closed with such as are fitted to incite to the highest degree of determination.

§ 238. The principle which respects the relation of the motives to one another is to be observed for the most part only in subordination to the other two.

Inasmuch as every thing unnatural is adverse to the highest end of persuasion, motives that are closely connected with each other should not be disconnected, even when the second principle named, that which respects the strength of the motive, may in itself require it. Much less should arguments that are presupposed in others be postponed, even although the other principles may demand it.

CHAPTER VII.

OF THE INTRODUCTION AND PERORATION IN PERSUASION.

$239. BOTH kinds of Introduction, the Explanatory and the Conciliatory, in their several varieties, are admissible in Persuasive Discourse.

The same cautions and suggestions are needful here as were presented in the corresponding chapter on Excitation. Part III. Chap. v.

§ 240. Only the Persuasive Peroration with the Recapitulation is admissible in this kind of discourse.

Persuasive Discourse should ever leave the mind addressed ready for the action proposed and urged in it. Where the body of the discourse has consisted of the exhibition of the motives, and, for any reason, the particular action has been suppressed, it will of course be necessary to state the action at the close. This, for a single example, was done by Demosthenes in his oration generally denominated the Third Philippic. In the main discussion, he unfolds the considerations which should influence the Athenians the existing state of affairs; and at the close briefly suggests what he thinks ought to be done.

If the action has constituted the body of the discussion, the peroration will generally consist of a strong and vivid exhibition of the motives.

it

If the action has been stated, but the motives that urge have filled up the body of the discourse, the peroration may

be by direct appeal or address, or more close application of the motives.

Recapitulation is admissible in either case.

EXERCISES IN PERSUASION.- Find in the following themes motives for the actions named :

The sturdy resistance to the first enticements of vicious pleasure, in the power of evil habit.

The choice of a high standard of living, in the rewards of conscious approval.

The willing encountering of difficulties and trials, in their needfulness to the best character.

The rigid observance of method in all thinking, in its importance to high intellectual culture.

The preference of mental to physical affluence, in the superior serenity and satisfactoriness of the former.