Advocacy Briefing & Prep

Advocacy Briefing & Prep Overview

• Nature of Persuasion (or Advocacy)

• Building the Advocacy Brief• Organization Patterns• Delivery Tips• Evaluation Procedures

Nature of Persuasion (or Advocacy)

• Persuasion or advocacy is…• Communication that influences and changes • the beliefs, feelings or behavior of a listener

• 3 reasons to persuade or advocate:• Convince• Inspire• Motivate

Nature of Persuasion (or Advocacy)

• Briefing to convince - to alter beliefs, judgments

Examples:• Prosecuting attorney tries to convince jurors a

defendant is guilty

• Legislator attempts to convince others that a tax increase is best way to solve the deficit problem

Nature of Persuasion (or Advocacy)

• Briefing to inspire – reinforces, intensifies feelings or beliefs of a listener

Examples:• Coach gives the football team a pep talk to

generate enthusiasm and a winning spirit

• A political leader makes a Veterans Day speech to rekindle patriotic feelings

Nature of Persuasion (or Advocacy)

• Briefing to motivate - inspires audience to actExamples:• American Red Cross worker encourages

participation in the upcoming blood drive

• Candidate asking for votes

Building the Advocacy Briefing

1. Select a Topic - 2 sides or multiple solutions

– Key to a Successful Topic:• Commitment to issue• Appropriate supporting material• Organization of supporting material

Building the Advocacy Briefing

2. Analyze your audience3. Conduct research

– Library sources, internet– Testimonies, statistics, and examples – If evidence does not support your position or

viewpoint, be willing to modify the topic

Building the Advocacy Briefing

4. Write position statement– Write a sentence, your position statement, that

• you can provide a solution for or • you can confidently side with• acts as focal point for arguments and supporting materials• reveals a clear point of view on a controversial topic

Examples:1. The military must play a bigger role in US drug interdiction

efforts. or2. The military must not play a bigger role in US drug

interdiction efforts.

Building the Advocacy Briefing

5. Argument strategy (cont)– Use logical arguments (see T&Q, pp42-53)– Use facts, evidence, and rationale reasoning– Use organizational patterns to help audience

understand and believe

Goal: to influence your audience to consider and ultimately accept your point of view

Organization Patterns

• Problem-Solution• Pro-Con Plus 1

Organization Patterns: Problem-Solution

• Show a problem exists, then discuss possible solutions, ending with proposed solution

• Often used for proposition of policy: advocating a course of action or change in future policy

• Usually contains the word “should” in the

statement

Organization Patterns: Problem-Solution

Position Statement: The government should use the military to combat the illegal drug problem in the US.

Problem: Illegal drug problem in the US is a pressing national issue today.

Possible Solutions: 1. Law enforcement 2. Social programs 3. Military intervention

Proposed Solution: Military intervention

Organization Patterns:Pro-Con Plus 1

1. State both sides of issue evenly

2. Follow with “extra” support for your view not previously discussed, or refute the cons

This final Pro or Con equals the “Plus 1”

Organization Patterns:Pro-Con Plus 1

Position Statement: The military must play a bigger role in US drug interdiction efforts.

Pros: Decreases crime & drug-related health problems

Cons: Undermines constitutional liberties and detracts from military training

Plus 1: Reduces indirect cost to the nation and slows the degradation of our social structure

Delivery Tips

• Avoid “I think” or “I believe” comments• Only use “ in my opinion” if you are an expert and

set yourself up accordingly• Stress research sources to build credibility• Use eye contact and gestures to emphasize

arguments• Use facial expressions and voice to express

emotions• Stay behind the podium, except to emphasize a

point• Show passion and energy & Practice, Practice,

Practice!

Briefing Grade Sheet

• Informative vs Advocacy Briefings

• Introduction, Conclusion• Support Material

Position Paper Evaluation

• Requirements

• Turn-in prior to briefing• Format same as Background Paper

• See T&Q (2004), pp 217-218

Summary: Advocacy Briefing & Prep

• Nature of Persuasion (or Advocacy)• Building the Advocacy Brief• Organization Patterns• Delivery Tips• Evaluation Procedures

“You have to be able to articulate your position.”

And now look who became governor of California!

Tim Russert, moderator of “Meet the Press” said, referring to Arnold Schwarzenegger, on the “Today Show,” 24 Sep 03: