ABSTRACT
Chapter 1 introduces the idea of persuasion and its three primary functions. The first, practice, highlights the act of persuasion and the many ways that persuasive skills permeate our public and private lives. Analysis, the second function, stresses the importance of reflection and criticism in becoming savvy consumers of persuasive communication. Finally, the study of persuasion contributes to our understanding about the human condition, both the nature of human psychology and the relationship between self and society. Next, the chapter outlines two major approaches to the study of persuasion: rhetorical criticism and the social-scientific approach. The chapter concludes with a working definition of persuasion that considers the roles of human agency when attempting to influence judgment.
