Page 260 - Between One and Many The Art and Science of Public Speaking

Chapter 9 Organizing Messages 227

Refutational
refutational pattern
Sometimes we are in a position to answer the arguments of another speaker, for A pattern of organization
example, in a debate. Alternatively, we may read or hear something with which that involves (1) stating the
we disagree. These types of persuasive speeches often call for the refutational argument to be refuted,
(2) stating the objection
pattern of organization, which involves the following steps:
to the argument,
(3) proving the objection
I. State the argument we seek to refute.
to the argument, and
II. State our objection to the argument. (4) presenting the impact
III. Prove our objection to the argument. of the refutation.
IV. Present the impact of our refutation.

For example, if we wanted to refute a proposed national health insurance
plan, we might argue the following points:

I. The proponents of national health care say the government should control [States the argument you
health care. seek to refute.]
II. Government bureaucrats, not physicians or patients, will then control [States your objection
medical choices. to the argument.]
III. People from Canada, which has national health insurance, often have to [Presents proof for your
come to the United States for medical care they are denied by their gov- objection.]
ernment-run program.
IV. The quality of American health care will decline in a program run by [Presents the impact of
government bureaucrats. your objection.]

Causal
The causal pattern of organization moves from cause to effect or from ef-
causal pattern
fect to cause. It is often useful in persuasive presentations and also can be used
A pattern of organization
in some informative speeches. In cause-to-effect speeches, we are dealing with
that moves from cause
some known activity and showing our audience that it will produce certain ef- to effect or from effect to
fects. If these are desirable effects, we would be endorsing the activity. If they cause.
are undesirable, we would be suggesting that the audience avoid it. To illustrate
this organizational pattern, suppose we wanted to convince our audience to quit
smoking:

I. Cigarette smoke contains a number of harmful chemicals. [Cause]
A. Carbon monoxide reduces the body’s ability to absorb oxygen.
B. Nicotine is an addictive substance.
C. Tar is made up of thousands of cancer-causing chemicals.
II. Cigarette smoking leads to signifi cant health problems. [Effect]
A. Carbon monoxide has been linked to low-birth-weight babies.
B. Nicotine makes quitting smoking diffi cult.
C. Tar is a principal source of lung cancer in smokers.

On the other hand, if we wanted to convince our audience of the need to re-
duce the power of special interests in Washington, we might argue from various
effects back to the cause:

I. The country is in economic trouble. [Effect]
A. Real wages are declining.