Rhetorical Plans

Tue, 15 May 2012 08:23:00 GMT

"The best idea in the world is worth precisely dick if it doesn't make it through the gauntlet of carpers, lawyers, clients, and the dark forces of bean counters" - Richard Seymor

Here are some rhetorical plans to get through that gauntlet. I have no knowledge of research about the effectiveness of each but at the minimum it may provide a variety of alternative presentation patterns. Choose the plan which seems strategic for the purpose, occasion, audience.

Problem-solution

The advantage of this format is that it creates early agreement between the speaker and the audience. The speaker and the audience agree that there is a "problem". By the time you present the solution, you and the audience have common ground.

The speaker begins with the presentation of the problem and then proceeds to present the solution. The speaker may add various arguments for the solution. Then you may end with a plea for its adoption.
Criteria-solution

This plan, instead of presenting a problem, instead presents an ideal criteria and then follows with proposals to meet those criteria.

For example when presenting a web design, you may set forth the description of the ideal website for the clients' business and then show how your web designs live up to those criteria.
Residue

In this pattern, the speaker presents various solutions and show how these possibilities are undesirable. The speaker then shows how his solution maybe the only answer. The speaker ends by advocating the one remaining residue - his solution.

A drawback of this pattern is that you may fail if the audience thinks that there are other possible solutions. If they think you are overlooking other possibilities. That the residue solution you presented is not really the only residue.
Reversal of apparent position

This is most effective if the client has already made up their mind or are biased towards a solution of course of action. You begin by examining the pros and cons of clients ideas to show that it may be a valid idea and that you are open to its adoption, after which you get to a "turning point" in the presentation in which you present an alternative solution (your solution). You may begin presenting your solution by saying "Nevertheless, let us compare other possibilities... in order to see which is the most optimal solution"

The drawback with this one is that you may present a stronger argument for the other side. Another drawback is that the audience may find you biased towards your idea and not really interested in a balanced analysis of both ideas.

Final thoughts

There should be caution in being too persuasive for the reason that it may quash discussion and valid criticism of the idea.

This list is also for clients so that they can become aware of rhetorical techniques and therefore evaluate an idea whether if it is truly good or just appear good because of the speakers' persuasive skills.

Good ideas usually withstand debate. Usually.

Conjoined Rats

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:05:00 GMT

Flasks

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:00:00 GMT

Angus's drawings

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:05:00 GMT

Screen on the Green

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:28:00 GMT

Work hard, play hard...

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:26:00 GMT

Aloft Excel

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:25:00 GMT

Happy Christmas

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:26:00 GMT

Nokia World

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:08:00 GMT

The Stone Roses reunion

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 19:06:00 GMT

Very, very exciting news for those of a certain age... (or not, if you're an old cynic)

Umbrellas

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:23:00 GMT

Star Jewellers

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:45:00 GMT

Blog