Communication Strategies

In explaining persuasive messages nature in relation to manipulation and ethics, the definition of the terms manipulative and unethical should be considered first. Second, the context of what is being said and how the audience relate to the message being delivered. Being manipulative is generally defined as adept in influencing or controlling others to ones own advantage while unethical on the other hand refers to the non-conformation to approved standards of social or professional behaviour. To add, persuasion is referred to as the act of influencing the mind towards some idea, object, event, or other persons, by using written or spoken words to convey information, feelings, or reason, or a combination of them.

Given these definitions of the terms, I may have to say that persuasion, in business messages do not make one manipulative, moreover unethical. If the viewpoint of audience is in contrast with the message being given, then it may be regarded as manipulative as it would attempt to influence to catch the audiences attention to the firms advantage, so to speak. However, it becomes unethical when the speakerwriter tries to instil to the audience a certain belief andor principle that could damage the ones personality and social disposition and character. One example of which is to explicitly, andor implicitly, saying that ...our products and services can beat 99.9 of all offers from (name of a brandcompany), with which they do not have any way to debate with that numerous testimonials given to us by people of all ages.

This certain sentence conveys unethical messages and actions, not to mention manipulative. Persuasion in business messages must convey meanings that are based on facts and honesty. Taking an action through persuasion is a big way to get, not only the minds, but also the hearts of the consumers.