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Article published In: Journal of Argumentation in Context
Vol. 7:3 (2018) ► pp.249–265

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The argument from example in health communication

Persuading and enabling patients to live a healthier life

 | Utrecht University
 | Radboud University Nijmegen
 | Radboud University Nijmegen
Published online: 1 February 2019
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https://doi.org/10.1075/jaic.18046.hoe
Abstract
The argument from example is frequently used in health communication interventions. Some of these arguments are narrative in nature, in the sense that they relate a series of logically related events containing an experiencing agonist. In this article, research on narrative persuasion is discussed in order to show how such narrative arguments from examples can influence the target audience’s beliefs about the possibility that a certain action will lead to certain consequences, the desirability of such consequences, as well as provide the target audience with ways by which to circumvent obstacles that prevent them from putting their intentions into actions. As such, narrative arguments from example can serve the needs of both people who still need to be motivated to change their behavior as those of people who already intend to adapt their behavior but fail to put this intention into action.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Communicating with non-intenders, intenders and actors
  • 3.The argument from example: Its use and strength
  • 4.Narrative aspects of the argument from example
  • 5.How stories influence people’s attitudes
  • 6.The argument from example in health contexts
    • 6.1Non-intenders and the argument from example
    • 6.2Intenders and the argument from example
  • 7.What makes a convincing argument from example?
  • 8.Conclusion and discussion
  • Note
  • References
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