Lucas Haensler and Julien de Sousa, the authors of the book Parle avec panache, argue that rhetoric—the art of persuasion—is not just for politicians or public speakers, but a vital skill in everyday communication. In their book, published on September 17 by First editions, they offer practical examples of how rhetoric can be used in situations like planning a vacation, organizing a meeting, or resolving a disagreement with in-laws. Their goal is to make the study of persuasion accessible to all, using real-life scenarios that allow readers to practice and understand different techniques. One of their examples involves encouraging a child to talk about their day. Haensler suggests starting with a framework that promotes two-way communication, such as sharing one’s own experiences first, which can help the child feel more comfortable expressing themselves. When it comes to resolving conflicts in a relationship, de Sousa emphasizes the importance of acknowledging a partner’s emotions without immediately trying to fix the problem. Instead, he recommends offering solutions and showing understanding, which can lead to more constructive conversations. When negotiating a salary, Haensler draws on the classical principles of persuasion from Aristotle: logos, pathos, and ethos. Logos refers to logical reasoning, pathos to emotional appeal, and ethos to credibility or trustworthiness. He advises that salary requests should be backed by sound reasoning, while also demonstrating how the employee adds long-term value to the company and showing trustworthiness. In public transport disputes, de Sousa suggests asking open-ended questions to help the other person reflect on their perspective, while Haensler recommends focusing on the situation rather than the person, which can reduce blame and encourage problem-solving. In political discourse, the authors highlight the importance of critical thinking over mere persuasion. De Sousa advises readers to recognize logical fallacies in speeches, such as false dilemmas or slippery slope arguments, and to evaluate claims carefully. Haensler notes that while rhetoric is a powerful tool, in political settings, the ability to think critically is even more essential than persuasive techniques. Both authors agree that rhetoric is not about rigid formulas but about adapting one’s communication to what the other person is ready to hear. They conclude that by using rhetoric thoughtfully, people can find common ground and improve communication in all areas of life.