Persuasion on the Level of Language
There are all kinds of tips and tricks to being persuasive in an argument that mostly focus on content and evidence. However, being persuasive comes down to the very basics of language. Stylistic choices in rhetoric can make a big impact on an argument. Language is the basis of communication, so it only makes sense that in order to be truly persuasive that you have to start with it. Even choices at the phonological level can make a difference in an argument. In order to truly build an argument you have to start with the building blocks of linguistic style. Even just phonology and syntax can make a difference in your persuasive argument. Not much research has been done on phonological uses, …show more content…
People are always looking for pragmatic implications in messages. As Pinker says in The Language Instinct, “Human communication is not just a transfer of information like two fax machines connected with a wire; it is a series of alternating displays of behavior by sensitive, scheming, second-guessing, social animals” (230). We don’t speak just logically, but usually contain unspoken messages in our spoken ones. In fact, “several studies in both advertising and legal contexts have revealed that people are unable to distinguish between information that is directly asserted and information that is pragmatically implied” (Dillard and Pfau 379). This means words can be manipulated to give information without directly saying it. One persuasive technique is “Euphemism” which bland terms are given to more offensive ones, such as “intensive interrogation technique” instead of “torture” (New Mexico Media Literacy Project). Not only are lexical choices important at a basic level, but also important when choosing how to reveal your message (whether directly or …show more content…
As Pinker says, “When we put words into people’s ears we are impinging on them and revealing our own intentions, honorable or not, just as surely as if we were touching them” (Pinker 230). In fact, one of the most persuasive techniques is the “relationship-raising” by using words such as “we, us, our” to put the relationship in the forefront. This was originally observed with romantic couples, but it can be applied to non-romantic relationships as well. This is because that “implication-laden piece of information can easily drop from the top of consciousness when other considerations vie for the same space. True to its name, the relationship-raising approach merely elevates one’s awareness of the personal connection in the moment before a request so that it will have due impact on the response” (Cialdini). People more readily recognize differences than commonalities. This use of “we” language ties back to everything. When delivering a message, be sure to include commonality words—and to keep every aspect of language in mind. Think phonologically, syntactically, lexically, and pragmatically to deliver a truly persuasive
There are all kinds of tips and tricks to being persuasive in an argument that mostly focus on content and evidence. However, being persuasive comes down to the very basics of language. Stylistic choices in rhetoric can make a big impact on an argument. Language is the basis of communication, so it only makes sense that in order to be truly persuasive that you have to start with it. Even choices at the phonological level can make a difference in an argument. In order to truly build an argument you have to start with the building blocks of linguistic style. Even just phonology and syntax can make a difference in your persuasive argument. Not much research has been done on phonological uses, …show more content…
People are always looking for pragmatic implications in messages. As Pinker says in The Language Instinct, “Human communication is not just a transfer of information like two fax machines connected with a wire; it is a series of alternating displays of behavior by sensitive, scheming, second-guessing, social animals” (230). We don’t speak just logically, but usually contain unspoken messages in our spoken ones. In fact, “several studies in both advertising and legal contexts have revealed that people are unable to distinguish between information that is directly asserted and information that is pragmatically implied” (Dillard and Pfau 379). This means words can be manipulated to give information without directly saying it. One persuasive technique is “Euphemism” which bland terms are given to more offensive ones, such as “intensive interrogation technique” instead of “torture” (New Mexico Media Literacy Project). Not only are lexical choices important at a basic level, but also important when choosing how to reveal your message (whether directly or …show more content…
As Pinker says, “When we put words into people’s ears we are impinging on them and revealing our own intentions, honorable or not, just as surely as if we were touching them” (Pinker 230). In fact, one of the most persuasive techniques is the “relationship-raising” by using words such as “we, us, our” to put the relationship in the forefront. This was originally observed with romantic couples, but it can be applied to non-romantic relationships as well. This is because that “implication-laden piece of information can easily drop from the top of consciousness when other considerations vie for the same space. True to its name, the relationship-raising approach merely elevates one’s awareness of the personal connection in the moment before a request so that it will have due impact on the response” (Cialdini). People more readily recognize differences than commonalities. This use of “we” language ties back to everything. When delivering a message, be sure to include commonality words—and to keep every aspect of language in mind. Think phonologically, syntactically, lexically, and pragmatically to deliver a truly persuasive