STUDENT HANDOUT: Candidate Narratives

Note to students: Candidate speeches or debate performances are obvious forms of persuasion. In those events, audiences know the candidates are attempting to influence them. Candidate narratives are less obvious types of persuasion. In these instances, audiences may not be anticipating how the candidates are attempting to influence them.

Please watch the candidate narratives or read their biographies and complete the chart below to expose how the McCain and Obama campaigns are attempting to persuade voters of their qualifications for the presidency.