The Ted Talk "The Power of Introverts" had an effective message about the importance of the introversion that is so often looked down upon in our society. Introverts are seen as inferior because they are unable, and often afraid, to express their thoughts socially. Although, it is often times the introverts that have the most to say because they spend so much time thinking. They are able to fully processes everything and view things from many different perspectives.
The speaker, Susan Cain, informs people about introverts and speaks up for them. Since introverts are not very socially skilled they are quite often misunderstood. Most introverts like to be alone but that does not mean they want to be lonely. I am introverted and I love talking with my small group of friends, but when it comes to talking to people I am not as comfortable with, I become sheepish and timid. This does not mean I do not like other people or that I do not want to talk to them it just means that talking to them is difficult. I have trouble putting my thoughts into words and it often takes me quite some time to do so. In most cases by the time I have decided what I want to say the conversation has moved on to a new topic. I also lack the confidence to speak with new people. Cain speaks up for the introverts. She, being an introvert herself, knows how it feels and can express it to her audience. By speaking up for the introverts, extroverts can begin to understand how introverts think and why they are so quiet. Extroverts are seen as dominant because they are the ones to share their opinions. You could add extroversion to the qualities of SCWAMP because the extroverts have the power in our society. If they cannot understand that introverts work better alone or that they need time to process their thoughts than nothing will change in favor of the introverts. Our society sees extroversion as the ideal way to be.
So, was this speech persuasive? I would say that yes it persuades people to support and speak up for introverts. The main purpose of the piece was most likely not to persuade people into having a better appreciation for introverts. However any piece of writing that expresses an opinion can be persuasive. If the opinion is displayed with strong reasoning and examples (ethos, logos, and pathos) it can persuade people to have the same opinion. Not everything is directly meant to persuade its viewers but if the ideas are presented well enough the viewers will agree with the speaker's opinion as the speaker. Susan Cain tells of her own experience with introversion through the story of the books, she cites statistical research on introversion in the classroom and workplace, and she mentions influential world and religious leaders who identify as introverts. These effective examples persuade her audience into having a new respect, acceptance, and support of the introverts in our society.
