COMM 1117 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Mandatory Sentencing
2 May 2018
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7 Parts of Developing Credibility
1. Reputation: the credibility you have with decision makers before you start to argue – your
accomplishment, common interests and experiences [RSP 146-147]
a. Bill Clito eared the reputatio of eig tough o rie at the cost of alienating
black activists
2. Sincerity: not violating the audience's trust in you [RSP 147-148]
a. President Obama may have insincerely advocated phasing out private prisons to reduce
pressure to take other steps against mass incarceration (he would say one thing and do
another)
b. Make sure your audience knows they can believe you
3. Value Identification: recognize the importance of the listener's values, even if you disagree with
them, and look for common ground [RSP 148-149]
a. Former Ohio Governor John Kasich identifies differing values and tries to find common
ground on criminal justice reform
4. Use of Evidence: weave it into your claims where it is available [RSP 149]
a. Use statistics, quotes, backing for the claim
o Using certain evidence based on your own view points, but using a diversity of
evidence is a good thing
o EX) THADDEU“: No, that’s so the iolet ad gus oe i, right? Ad the take
oer that arket. That’s eatl hat’s happeed for ore tha ears i this
county. We are, as we all know, in my ways, and certainly historically, especially
puritaial.
o Thaddeus weaves a complex mix of evidence (personal experience, historical
knowledge, stats) in his unsafe space arguments to establish his credibility to
support his claims about legalization
5. Organization: clear ordering of points 1, 2, 3; same level of abstraction; make important points
stand out [RSP 149-150]
a. Be clear
b. EX) Hillary Clinton: ( points on her website discussing end or era of mass
incarceration in order) Reforming mandatory minimum sentencing, focus
federal enforcement resources on violent crime, not simple marijuana
possession
c. Hillar Clito’s issues esite has ullet poits for sub-claims about ending
mass incarceration
6. Favoring issues over personal attacks: emphasize your own credibility by centering your
argument on your claims [RSP 150-151]
a. Do’t stoop low ad attak the other perso, fous o the issue at had
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