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This is one of three works written for the Persuasion unit in Year 12. We were required to select a topic (Family, Money, or Racism) and analyse a piece of text related to it. I chose Family and wrote an analysis on an article from a local newspaper. This should ideally be read with the original article on hand, however it has since vanished. Still, it is a good example of an analytical essay.

The article “Consistency and Example” written by Reverend Ron Linning for the Family Matters column of a local newspaper is a fine example of persuasion as applied to a topic such as family life. Whereas articles written to persuade with respect to racism or other similar themes have very distinct persuasive characteristics, a more subtle approach is necessary when dealing with family. As a result, some may argue that “Consistency and Example” is not a persuasive text because on the surface it appears to lack many of the striking features commonly associated with the art of persuasion. The Chambers Dictionary defines the act of persuading as “to induce or encourage by reasoning or advice” and it is this precisely that Rev. Linning’s article seeks to achieve. By presenting a reasoned argument supported by evidence and successful analogies the reader is persuaded to adopt the techniques put forth by the Reverend.

As with any persuasive text or speech, the author’s primary goal is to establish bona fide credentials in the eyes of the audience. If the persuader convinces his audience that he possesses a vast knowledge of the subject, they will be more likely to heed the advice presented to them. Rev. Linning achieves this in the very first paragraph by announcing his involvement in “examining issues which lead to a healthy family life.” This establishes him as someone committed to family psychology, as well as catching the reader’s immediate attention with the words “healthy family life”. After all, isn’t it everyone’s ambition to have healthy family? The general tone of the article also suggests that the author is indeed an expert. Use of direct phrases such as “There should be agreement” and “Children will respond” leaves no room for doubt. The Reverend knows what he is talking about.

When aspiring to persuade, it is vital that one takes into consideration the target audience. While the Reverend occasionally demonstrates his aptitude with the use of psychological discourse to enforce his credibility, most of the article is written with the average working class parents in mind. As a result, the phrasing and style is kept simple and readily accessible. The constant reference to examples relevant to the audience also brings the content of the text closer to home. The sight of “children who, having met with a refusal…immediately try to get the other parent to make a different decision” for example is something known to all parents. In this way, the reader unconsciously agrees with the proposed problem and lies open for a suggestion. By repeating this problem-solution sequence, the author encourages you to adopt his strategy.

The use of analogy in the fourth paragraph serves a twofold purpose. It adds even more authority to the Reverend’s proposed solutions by indicating his deep knowledge of experimental psychology. This also gives him the right context for showing off his grasp of terms such as “neurotic mannerisms” and ‘proves’ his close ties with psychology. The other effect this analogy has is to emphasise the consequences of not following Rev. Linning’s advice. By comparing the bird driven to insanity by inconsistency to what would happen to a child lacking proper parental treatment it becomes almost impossible to ignore the advice. How could you not do what the Reverend says knowing that your child would have “no relationship to the outside world” if you didn’t?

The structure of the article leading up to its climax is evidence of Rev. Linning’s persuasive tactfulness. By showing how simple his advice is and how simple it is to implement, he then presents the reader with a somewhat exaggerated analogy showing the dramatic consequences of ignoring his advice. Once the reader is completely open to him, he briefly presents another, albeit weaker argument. This does not have as much impact as the first, nor was it ever intended to. In his concluding paragraph, Rev. Linning wraps up by stating that in a small percentage of cases other psychological problems may prevent his solution from taking effect. This persuades those in this minority against disregarding the Reverend’s future advice because of his solution’s inability to deal with their child’s problem.

“Consistency and Example” is a cleverly written article and an ideal example of very subtle and surreptitious persuasion. By keeping in mind his target audience and the desired feelings to be provoked, Reverend Ron Linning has made it near impossible for the reader to disagree.

Copyright © 1999 Andrej Bece