This study investigates the role of stasis, an ancient rhetorical tool with both heuristic and analytic capabilities, in entrepreneurial rhetoric, specifically in pitching and question-and-answer sessions. Drawing from a multiyear sample of Shark Tank pitches, the author found that funders expect entrepreneurs to account for stases of being, quality, quantity, and place. The findings suggest a series of associated questions within each stasis. When these questions are answered unsuccessfully, standstills occur within the funding argument; when they are successfully addressed, the stasis passes, and ventures are more likely to receive funding. The author discusses the implications of this study for entrepreneurship and professional communication.

中文翻译：

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鲨鱼缸中的停滞：说服资助者代表企业家采取行动

本研究调查了 stasis（一种具有启发式和分析能力的古老修辞工具）在创业修辞中的作用，特别是在投球和问答环节中的作用。作者从 Shark Tank 投资的多年样本中发现，资助者希望企业家能够说明存在、质量、数量和地点的阶段。研究结果表明每个停滞中存在一系列相关问题。当这些问题没有得到成功回答时，资助论证就会陷入停顿；当这些问题得到成功解决时，停滞期就会过去，企业更有可能获得资金。作者讨论了这项研究对创业和专业交流的影响。