Speaking: Functional Language B2 - Lesson 1: Persuading & Influencing Others

Speaking: Functional Language B2

Persuading & Influencing Others

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use advanced strategies to make your arguments more convincing by appealing to logic, emotion, and credibility.

The Three Pillars of Persuasion 🏛️

A strong argument often combines three types of appeals to be truly effective.

1. Appeal to Logic (Logos)

Use facts, data, evidence, and clear reasoning. This makes your argument seem rational and well-thought-out.

"The data suggests that..."

2. Appeal to Emotion (Pathos)

Connect with the other person's feelings, hopes, fears, or values. This makes your argument relatable and compelling.

"Imagine how fantastic it would be if we could..."

3. Appeal to Credibility (Ethos)

Show why your opinion is trustworthy. Use your experience, refer to experts, or connect to shared goals.

"Based on my 10 years of experience..."

Scenario: A Business Proposal 💼

Listen to this conversation where a marketing manager, Lina, tries to persuade her director to invest in new software. Notice how she uses all three appeals.

Director: "Lina, you're proposing a significant investment in this new analytics software. Why should we approve this?"

Lina: "I strongly believe this is the right move. Firstly, the logic is clear: the data shows businesses like ours see an average 20% increase in lead conversion. (Appeal to Logic)"

Lina: "Secondly, imagine how much easier it will be for our team. This will reduce their stress and allow them to feel more successful. (Appeal to Emotion)"

Lina: "Finally, based on my experience, our current tools are not providing the data we need. This software has a proven track record and aligns with our goal of being data-driven. (Appeal to Credibility)"

Structuring Your Argument 📈

💡 Structuring a Convincing Pitch

When you need to persuade someone, follow this simple structure to make your point powerfully.

1. State Your Proposal: "I believe we should..."
2. Address the 'Why' (Logic): "The data shows..." or "This is a good idea because..."
3. Connect with Feelings (Emotion): "This will help us avoid..." or "Think of the opportunities..."
4. Build Trust (Credibility): "My experience suggests..." or "This fits with our shared value of..."
5. Call to Action: "Therefore, I recommend we move forward."

Practice Your Skills 🎯

📝 Practice Quiz: Identify the Appeal

1. "If we switch to this new supplier, we can reduce our production costs by 15%, which will directly increase our profit margin."

A) Appeal to Logic
B) Appeal to Emotion
C) Appeal to Credibility

→ Answer: A. This argument is based on numbers, facts, and financial reasoning.

2. "By supporting this local community project, we can make a real difference in the lives of children and help build a better future for our city."

A) Appeal to Logic
B) Appeal to Emotion
C) Appeal to Credibility

→ Answer: B. This argument appeals to feelings of community, hope, and the desire to do good.

Key Vocabulary

• Persuade (Verb) | បញ្ចុះបញ្ចូល
  To cause someone to believe something by giving good reasons.
• Influence (Verb) | មានឥទ្ធិពល
  To have an effect on the way someone behaves or thinks.
• Logic / Emotion / Credibility (Nouns)
  Appeals based on reason / feelings / trustworthiness.

Your Mission: The One-Minute Pitch ⭐

Your mission is to practice making a persuasive argument about something you truly believe in.

1. Think of a real-life situation. For example, persuade a friend to watch your favorite movie, or persuade your family to try a new restaurant.
2. Plan your 60-second "pitch" using the structure from this lesson. Think of one simple reason for each appeal (Logic, Emotion, Credibility).
3. Record yourself delivering your pitch.

Example (New Restaurant): "I really think we should try 'Khmer Kitchen' tonight (Proposal). The reviews online say it has a 4.8-star rating, so logically it must be good (Logic). Imagine trying something new and delicious instead of our usual place (Emotion). I've heard from three other friends that it's fantastic, so I trust their judgment (Credibility). So, let's go tonight!"