Overview

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Unlock the foundational tools of influential communication in this course from Arizona State University. This course introduces students to the "Art of Persuasion," focusing on how to communicate complex ideas with clarity and impact. You will begin by exploring Aristotle’s Triangle of Persuasion, learning how to balance logic, credibility, and emotion to reach your audience effectively. A major focus of the curriculum is evaluating the trustworthiness of information. You will learn how to assess credibility and evaluate sources for reliability before integrating them into your work. Through practical exercises in summarizing and paraphrasing, you will develop the ability to report information clearly while maintaining academic integrity. By the end of the course, you will be able to write sophisticated summaries and responses that demonstrate a deep understanding of evidence-based persuasion, providing you with a vital skill set for success in any university classroom or professional setting.

Syllabus

Module 1: The Art of Persuasion

In this first module of the course, you’ll explore the art of persuasion and how to communicate ideas with impact. You will study new words, read articles, watch a video, and practice your new skills.

Module 2: Reporting Information Clearly

Strong communication helps you succeed both in the university classroom and in the workplace. In this module, you will practice building on other people’s ideas and writing effective summaries to report information clearly in academic and professional settings. You will study new words, read articles, watch a video, and practice your new skills.

Module 3: Using Emotional Appeal

Persuasive communication is a powerful skill for success in school and at work. In this module, you will learn about one part of Aristotle’s Triangle of Persuasion: emotional appeal. Using emotional appeal can help you connect with your audience and make your message more effective. You will study new words, read articles, watch videos, and practice your new skills.

Module 4: Evaluating Credibility

Understanding credibility is a foundational part in Aristotle’s Triangle of Persuasion. This means learning how to evaluate sources for trustworthiness and reliability. In this module, you will explore what makes a source credible, why credibility is important in academic work, and how to recognize the difference between trustworthy evidence and suspicious information. You will study new words, watch a lecture on evaluating credibility, and practice your skills through a summary-and-response task.

Module 5: Integrating Credible Sources

Understanding how to integrate evidence and paraphrase ideas is key to building credibility, which is fundamental in Aristotle’s Triangle of Persuasion. In this module, you will learn how to use evidence from credible sources and how to paraphrase effectively. You will study new vocabulary, watch videos, and practice your skills in using credible sources.