Making up Examples for the writing prompt?

[jordan19]

What is the ettiquette on this? It seems like I can never think of a real life example and must resort the fiction in order to support my ideas. Comments, ideas, advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

for example:

The most effective way to change people's opinions is to appeal to their emotions.

 

Empathizing feelings with a group of people is the most successful way to change their outlook on a particular topic, when such people have undergone a traumatic experience and are looking to recover from such. In instances where people have gone through ordeals, they are not rational, and hence their emotions get the best of their decisions, as they can be easily swayed by a person who readily sympahtizes with them. For example, during the 1700's, France had undergone several droughts and this had ravaged the poor population, as many had died from starvation, and many families had barely any food to eat. Their King at the time, King Louis the 8th was unsympathetic to his people, and had spent the money generated from taxes on waging war with England. The peasants of France were displeased with King Louis's action, yet they did not seek changes in the current political system, as such an absolutist regime had been in place for thousands of centuries before. It was during this time, a middle class revolutionist, by the name of Jackes Gauthier played to their emotions, and was able to rally a sizeable force to challenge the King of France. Gauthier had given a speech of how he had been outraged with ignorant actions of the Kings, and had played on the fears of the majority of the population. In doing so, he would begin what would be known as the French revolution, and would overthrow the current political system.

 

There are instances; however, where sympathizing with the feelings of others is not the most successful method of changing a group's opinion and this occurs in modern times, where groups of people have not forgone a traumatic experience and possess a high level of education. These people are educated and aware of the problems that are present in society, and hence, their opinions can only be changed by a leader who demonstrates a deep understanding of the problem, and who offers alternative solutions to such issues. For example, in Canada of 1988, there had been a time of political turmoil, where there were many political parties of Canada, and the majority of population had become divided on what would be the best party which would represent the government. In the summer of 1988, Pierre Elliot Trudea would give a famous speech, where his eloquence and understanding of the issues facing Canada at hand would captivate the population. Trudeau demonstrated a very deep understanding of the topic at hand, and proposed several solutions which would combat the problems facing the Canadian political system. In doing so, he was able to gain the approval of many who were educated and aware. Trudeau's sucess was noted in the upcoming election of 1989, where he was elected to become Prime Minister by 75% of the population.

 

Therefore, the notion that the most effective way to change people's opinions is to appeal to their emotions depends on whether or not that group of people has undergone a traumatic experience. If such is the case, someone who can readily empathize with such people can garner support, simply because he or she can play on the weakness of these people, and appeal to their emotions to sway their decisions. However, if a group of people have not undergo an ordeal, and are well educated, it is best to demonstrate a deep understanding of the problems at hand to gain the support and change the opinions of such people.