What is the goal of persuasive speaking?

The goal of persuasive speaking is to convince the audience to adopt a certain viewpoint. This type of speaking involves not just presenting information but actively attempting to influence the beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors of the audience. Persuasive speakers use various techniques, such as emotional appeals, logical reasoning, and credibility, to sway the audience toward a specific opinion or action. This process often involves presenting arguments, addressing counterarguments, and trying to create a sense of urgency or importance regarding the topic at hand.

While entertaining the audience or creating awareness can be aspects of good public speaking, they do not encapsulate the primary aim of persuasion, which is about instigating change or acceptance in the audience's perspective. Therefore, focusing on influencing belief or action is what sets persuasive speaking apart from other forms of speech, making it essential for speakers to effectively engage and motivate their listeners toward a particular stance or outcome.