Persuasion refers to the use of reasoning and logic to influence an audience. Effective persuasion requires a delicate balance between establishing credibility and evoking emotion. Mandela does not use his speech to plead innocence, but rather to persuade the audience (South African and international), to get behind his cause. He does this by probing the logic of the apartheid government in their accusations of communism, by confronting their own violence (while imprisoning him for lesser violence), and by exposing the harsh contrasts of living conditions between white and black South Africans.

An example of his persuasion is in his claim that violence has become inevitable. This is a statement that many might disagree with, without knowing many of the facts behind the case. Mandela continues to explain the history of failed peaceful protests, and the severity of force enacted by the apartheid police to substantiate his point. Furthermore, he downplays Umkhonto’s own form of violence by explaining that it had been the most humane choice with the most consideration for human life.