Persuasion and Influence in Non-Profit Advocacy
Author: Dr. Anna Neya Kazanskaia
Publisher: NEYA Global Publishing
Journal: NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies (ERDO)
Year: 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-persuasion-influence-2025
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About the Article
This article examines persuasion as a strategic and ethical cornerstone of non-profit advocacy. Drawing on Aristotle’s triad of ethos, pathos, and logos, it explores how credibility, emotion, and logic combine to mobilize support across diverse cultural and socio-economic contexts. The analysis highlights evidence-based reasoning, emotional storytelling, and trust-building as key persuasive tools, while showing how calls to action provide clarity, urgency, and direction for audiences. Practical strategies for overcoming resistance—through active listening, data, and empathy—are illustrated with case examples from health, education, and environmental campaigns. By bridging rhetorical theory with participatory practice, the article positions persuasion not as manipulation but as a foundational tool for building trust, fostering collaboration, and inspiring systemic social change.
Key Topics
- Aristotle’s ethos, pathos, and logos in advocacy communication
- Constructing effective and urgent calls to action
- Strategies for addressing resistance and objections
- Persuasion as an ethical practice in advocacy
- Case studies from health, education, and environmental campaigns
- Integration of rhetorical theory and participatory approaches
Academic Value
This article contributes to advocacy scholarship by re-examining persuasion as both a classical rhetorical practice and a modern ethical strategy. For scholars, it offers insights into how ethos, pathos, and logos intersect with participatory communication and cross-cultural contexts. For practitioners, it provides actionable methods to design persuasive appeals, manage resistance, and mobilize stakeholders in resource-constrained environments while maintaining legitimacy and trust.
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