Gun control. Abortion. Immigration laws.
Tough topics, right? When multi-faceted, emotional, and difficult topics like these come into conversation, people tend to want to shout their opinions or leave the conversation altogether. These types of topics can quickly lead to communication impasses, to conversational stalemates. Those with differing views can get locked into their arguments with no foreseeable way forward.
Today we are taking a dive into rhetorical theory. But wait! Don’t let that scare you off—this is really old, but really helpful stuff. We are going to look at something called stasis theory. It’s a strategy which can give us incredible insight into content development, conflict, and persuasion. Stasis theory can also help us to understand and communicate with audience members who may have different views than we have. And it can help us to create presentations that break through those impasses and stalemates. So if you are still with me (and I really hope you are), let’s dive in.
What is Stasis Theory?
“Stasis” is a Latin word derived from a Greek word meaning “a stand.” In their classic textbook, Ancient Rhetorics for Contemporary Students, Crowley and Hawhee write, “The most satisfactory modern equivalent for stasis seems to be the term issue, which we can define as the point about which all parties to an argument can agree to disagree: this is what is at issue.” It is the place where people with two different opinions meet and decide what they are in conflict about and how to proceed.
Developed by Aristotle and used by most prominent rhetoricians throughout history, it can also come in handy as a way to approach presentation content. Perdue University’s Online Writing Lab has a great resource to understand the four basic components of this theory. They say you can develop content by discovering the following components of your issue or topic:
- The facts (conjecture)
- The meaning or nature of the issue (definition)
- The seriousness of the issue (quality)
- The plan of action (policy)
How to Apply It
So how do you use stasis theory when you are in conflict about an issue or needing to develop a presentation that helps move an issue forward? Stasis theory says arguments should either take a theoretical or a practical line of questioning. In other words, making progress is all about asking the right questions and taking the right approach.
Theoretical: Why?
For conflicts in which you want to persuade an audience along a theoretical line, answer the question, “why?” Crowley and Hawhee say to “address the origins and natures of things.” For some conversations, it helps to take a distant view of the issue.
For example, if you are trying to persuade a client to use your company’s services, it might help them to know why your company exists. Give them the big picture view of why your company was created and what your broad mission is. If they have been resistant or even opposed to change, this tactic might help to move them.
Practical: What?
For issues that arise on a more practical level, answer the question, “what?” Or as Crowley and Hawhee more specifically put it, “what people should do.” This tactic zooms in on the issue at hand, looking at specific policies or people, showing how lives will be affected on a daily basis.
Take the same example from above. It could be that your potential client needs to know how your company can improve their employees’ or customers’ daily lives. In that case, you can build a bridge over the issue of impasse by addressing very specific concerns.
Human communication can get messy. Sometimes, it’s really tough work. But stasis theory can help us uncover exactly what it is that we are disagreeing about. And it can help us make progress. After all, whether we are in one-on-one conversation or giving a presentation in front of hundreds of people, communication is about connecting and moving forward together. It’s worth the work every single time.
Our presentation skills are built on both foundational theories and practical knowledge of what works in today’s world. Ethos3 can help you design, develop, and deliver your best presentation yet. Find out how here.
