PERSUASIVE SPEECHES OF GRADE 8 ESL STUDENTS: ARGUMENTS, STRATEGIES, AND MODES OF PERSUASION

Abstract

The study aimed to analyze the employed persuasive strategies of the participants based on Aristotle’s modes of persuasion in their persuasive speeches. A descriptive qualitative design was employed, and video recording served as the research instrument of the study. The fifteen (15) participants were chosen at random using the fishbowl method. The researcher transcribed the speech verbatim and used content analysis to assign codes to each line of speech. The students used different strategies to convince the audience of their logical reasoning, credibility, and emotional appeal. Among the three Aristotelian modes of persuasion, Logos was the most commonly used, followed by Ethos and Pathos was the least used. The most prevalent strategy employed by the participants in Logos was to give factual objective information, followed by using credible supporting materials and providing examples to support the proposition. Under Ethos, sharing credentials or relevant personal experiences, followed by citing credible sources to appear competent, was found to be the most frequently employed strategy by participants. With regard to Pathos, providing lay testimony like sharing personal stories was revealed to be the most utilized persuasive strategy by the participants to build personal connections. The study suggested that English teachers make classroom activities that will lead students to use different ways of persuasion in their speeches. In addition, school administrators could also promote speech activities like speech competitions encouraging students to employ Aristotle’s persuasive strategies.

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