Versus Persuasive Speaking Informative Speaking

¶ … Versus Persuasive Speaking

Informative speaking is primarily factual and is designed to enrich or educate the listener; persuasive speaking is fundamentally designed to change the listener's mind or behaviors. Examples of informative speeches might include a speech instructing the listener on how to cook spaghetti; on the causes of World War I; or how to pass a driving test. Examples of persuasive speeches might include a speech designed to convince listeners to adopt a vegetarian diet, vote for a particular candidates, or to buy a hybrid car. It should be noted that it is the framing of the speech, not the topic itself that determines whether the speech is persuasive or informative. It is possible to give an informative speech comparing the different positions of two candidates on various issues without taking a side; it is also possible to give a persuasive speech on an apparently non-controversial subject, such as speech designed to persuade the listener about the best way to make pie crust.

The Hope is fundamentally a persuasive work, because its intent is to convince the listener to adopt a particular view of the Bible and Christianity. Its main thesis is that despite arguments to the contrary, archeological, historical, and logical evidence all supports a literal reading of the Bible. The speaker assumes that the listener has heard many negative arguments regarding the truth of the Bible, such as scripture's supposedly contradictory nature. The Hope deals with such arguments, introducing them, deconstructing them, and then affirming its positive Christian viewpoint. One of the key 'tip offs' that a work is persuasive is if it entertains the opposition's arguments and refutes them.

Of course, given that it is about a theological and historical subject, the Hope does contain many facts about the Bible and Biblical history. A strong persuasive speech is usually based upon some form of factual evidence, not empty rhetoric. Although a persuasive speech may include emotional words, imagery, and other tools that are not strictly logical, for the speech to be effective (at least, effective in persuading persons other than persons who are already converted to the speaker's point-of-view), the speech must be based on some sound rationale. The Hope uses evidence from the Bible, archeological evidence, and also logical and persuasive reasoning to convince the listener about the Bible's truth.

The Hope also strives to answer many common questions that even uncertain believers articulate regarding their faith, such as why God allows suffering to occur and why terrible things such as cancer are allowed to exist. The film suggests that although the world may fundamentally be fallen, God still offers hope and the possibility of redemption. The end of the Hope stresses the need for the listener to go to church and fully participate in a faith community to enjoy all of the spiritual benefits outlined in the film as well as attempts to quiet any questions that may remain in the listener's mind about the truth of the Bible.