A Persuasive Message

Worksheet Description

The “Adapting to Your Audience” worksheet is a specialized resource for developing persuasive speaking skills by focusing on the classical appeals of rhetoric: ethos, pathos, and logos. Students begin by identifying their audience and the subject of their speech, which sets the stage for thoughtful planning of their rhetorical strategy. The worksheet is structured to prompt students to consider which rhetorical appeals will be most effective for their particular audience and to provide reasoning for their choices.

For each rhetorical appeal—ethos, which relates to ethics and credibility; pathos, which pertains to emotional connection; and logos, which involves logical argument—the worksheet challenges students to deliberate on the suitability of each approach for their intended audience. They must assess whether an ethical appeal will resonate with their audience’s values, if an emotional appeal will engage their feelings, or if a logical appeal will persuade through reason. This exercise not only reinforces understanding of rhetorical strategies but also encourages students to apply these strategies in a targeted way. Through this analytical process, students learn to craft speeches that are not only well-structured but also finely tuned to the expectations and predispositions of their listeners.