Argumentation

Part of your essay must focus on how Reshma Saujani argues her case and on her persuasiveness in “Teach girls bravery, not perfection”.

Direct argumentation

Direct (open) argumentation means that a speaker openly presents his or her views. In the case of Saujani’s speech, you can notice that she often uses phrases like ‘I think’ followed by a direct exposition of her views: “This study is usually invoked as evidence that, well, women need a little more confidence.

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Indirect argumentation

Indirect (closed) argumentation is noticeable in the examples and cited studies given by the speaker. These examples indirectly support the speaker’s views and give them validity: “An HP report found that men will apply for a job if they meet only 60 percent of the qualifications, but women, women will apply only if they meet 100 percent of the qualifications.” (ll. 35-37)

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The speaker's persuasiveness

The speaker’s persuasiveness is built through her passionate, occasionally humorous tone, by appealing to the audience’s emotions and shared values of women and American society, as well as to evidence or experienced-based arguments.

Humor and irony are used at the beginning of the speech, but as the speech progresses, the speaker’s tone becomes more emphatic and serious, appealing to shared values: “So a few years ago, I did something really brave, or some would say really stupid. I ran for Congress.” (l. 1);

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