Persuasion

In today's world of instant communication, we often marvel at the ability of a public figure to handle a hostile audience. Persuasive Encounters studies successful persuasion against tough odds. Through the analysis of specific historical and rhetorical evidence, the book illustrates and sometimes challenges the viability of current abstract models. This book demonstrates that the understanding of communication processes can never be very far from the analysis of communication events. It goes on to show that confrontations can be positive forces for change.

As an international language, English has facilitated the sharing of information. But when it comes to communication, specifically political communication, Dovring argues that the type of English that is used leads to misunderstandings, political double entendre, and the subtle manipulation of public opinion. President Kennedy was one of the first to face this problem when he negotiated with Khrushchev in the 1960s. He encountered an English where familiar words were used with new or dubious meanings in order to point toward certain political goals. This "Bodysnatched English" is the subject of Dovring's study. A communications analyst, Dovring examines the use, influence, and political environment where "Bodysnatched English" has appeared. She points out the often neglected fact that communication is an art, performed to perfection by politicians acting on the public stage. She analyzes recent political communications, including the words of Reagan, Clinton, Gorbachev, Khrushchev, and Qadafi.

There's a sucker born every minute-don't let it be you! Learn how to ward off even the best predators with the secrets revealed in The Power of Persuasion When it comes to persuasion, there are three universal truths: You're more susceptible to it than you think; The most effective persuaders are the least obvious; and Whether they're selling cars or religion, professional persuaders all follow the same principles of psychology. Stop falling prey to their ploys. The Power of Persuasion looks behind the curtain of shilling and pitch to reveal the many methods of seduction used to pull your strings and push your buttons every day. Drawing heavily on empirical psychological evidence as well as real-world investigations and anecdotes, The Power of Persuasion arms you with the knowledge to fend off such common manipulation tactics as: Limited time offers: "Act fast because this fabulous opportunity won't come around again!" The "Four Walls" technique: A series of carefully worded questions makes you realize that you have no good reason for not purchasing the product "Bait-and-switch": A salesman quotes a price on a car missing an important feature, then finds a more suitable car at a higher price