Persuasive Strategies in Yusuf Estes and Amr Khaled’s Selected Islamic Preaching Discourses: A Contrastive Rhetorical Analysis

Abstract

This study analyzes the persuasive strategies manipulated by the American Islamic preacher Yusuf Estes and the Arabian preacher Amr Khaled. Johnstone (2008) as a theoretical framework for data analysis is used to highlight the rhetorical framework within such preaching discourses. Findings reveal that both Islamic preachers employ quasilogical, presentational, and analogical strategies, with presentational persuasion being mostly dominant. However, while Estes favors logical reasoning, Khaled more relies on historical references. The difference in their use of rhetorical strategies can be attributed to context and audience expectations. Such findings significantly contribute to the field of contrastive rhetoric by demonstrating how cultural and linguistic contexts play a key role in shaping persuasive strategies in Islamic preaching.