Arizona State University (ASU) COM259 Communication in Business and the Professions Midterm Practice Exam

The primary goal of persuasive communication in a business context is to convince the audience of a specific viewpoint or to motivate them to take a desired action. This form of communication involves not just presenting information, but also framing it in a way that engages the audience’s emotions and logic, leading them to adopt a particular belief or to act upon the message delivered.

Persuasive communication typically employs strategies like establishing credibility, appealing to the audience’s needs and values, and using compelling evidence to support arguments. In business settings, this could manifest in various ways, such as persuading stakeholders to support a project, encouraging customers to purchase a product, or motivating team members to embrace a new initiative.

The other options, while relevant in their own contexts, do not capture the essence of persuasive communication. Providing information is more aligned with informative communication, which aims to educate rather than convince. Entertaining an audience may engage them temporarily but does not necessarily influence their beliefs or actions in a business context, nor does summarizing a report focus on persuasion; it is more about condensing information for clarity. Therefore, the main objective of persuasive communication firmly centers on the ability to change minds or behaviors, making it a critical skill in professional environments.